Dr. Blasey,

I am a professor of English and history at Schoolcraft College just outside Detroit, Michigan. I am also a survivor of sexual assault.

During the past few weeks, I spoke up where I could about survivor memory. Like you, I have very clear memories of some things, but would not be able to answer questions about specific details that are essentially irrelevant to the assault itself.

For people to ignore what we know to be true about survivor memory while attacking you was appalling. Many of the vicious comments and memes that were distributed were even worse.

Even those who thought that you had no credibility should have treated you with more decency and respect; especially those who wear the mantle of Christianity and family values. It has been disheartening to see strangers–as well as some of my family members and friends–sully the message of Christ in their attacks on you; attacks that they did not know they were also leveling against me.

Please note that I am not lumping all Christians into one monolithic group. Some hate filled Christians do not discredit the message of Christ any more than some whom have made false accusations should be used to discredit you and me and other survivors.

As one who follows the Buddha Dhamma, I do my best to respond with karuṇā/compassion to those who spew hatred. I believe in the memetic nature of violence—that violence begets violence. I also believe that karuṇā is an important step toward upekkhā/equanimity.

Yet, as I am sure you are aware, compassion is not for the faint of heart. Compassion can force us out of our comfort zone to confront violence and force us to do things that we would rather not do; such as giving testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

It was not until last week that, for the first time, I publicly stated that I had been sexually assaulted. Were it not for my heartfelt compassion for you, I am sure that this would still be a secret shared with only a very few.

When you sat before the Senate Judiciary Committee, you did much more than give testimony concerning a judicial candidate. You gave voice for millions of survivors and helped many of us find our own voices.

In mettā/loving-kindness I express my gratitude,

 

 

 

 

–Steven L. Berg, PhD

 

Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Tech. Sgt. Christina M. Styer/Released.

 

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