And Then There Were Nine…
It was full of theater, from the dramatic “thumbs down” gestures ostentatiously made by Democrats in the Senate, to the splendor of a South Lawn White House ceremonial swearing-in last night…but Amy Coney Barrett has a new job today, as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
While the circus-like confirmation hearings that took place earlier this month led to a number of sound-bite moments, I was struck by one exchange that in one respect is a great step forward for women in a way.
Recall the questions from Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono…she prefaced by saying she asked these questions of all nominees, and then proceeded with two that asked then-Judge Barrett if, after reaching majority age, she had ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature. Barrett said no. Hirono then asked if Barrett had ever entered into a confidentiality agreement or been disciplined for such behavior; again, the answer was a respectful “no”.
The questions are clearly designed to be a trap; obviously the nominee is going to deny it under oath, which then makes things dicey if someone subsequently comes forward and makes the claim.
But we’re not used to such questions being asked of women. I’m not sure they have any value in such a hearing, other than to bait a trap…but if they’re going to be asked of men, then to be fair, they ought to be asked of women, too.
So in that respect, the new justice has blazed another trail…the first female to be asked if she was guilty of sexual harassment in a Supreme Court nomination hearing. Another step toward equality, I guess.
