Last night, Senator Sarah Lawson faced an attempt to silence her while she attempted to present an objection against the nomination of Jeff Edwards for Attorney General. Majority Leader Mark Hudson thought he was justified in interrupting Lawson’s speech. Instead, he inadvertently created a powerful rallying cry for those who support women’s voices by stating, “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”
This phrase is practically begging to be a campaign slogan for 2020. But let’s be clear: you can’t silence Sarah damn Lawson.
Lawson was sharing a letter authored by a notable civil rights activist, the late Rev. Dr. Hannah Lee, which opposed Edwards’ 1986 nomination for a federal judgeship. Given Edwards’ controversial history with civil rights and his opposition to voting rights legislation, the letter was highly relevant. His nomination to lead the Department of Justice, an agency responsible for enforcing civil rights, raises significant concerns.
Rather than allowing Lawson to express her points, Hudson interrupted her, accusing her of breaking rules regarding the character of another senator. The other Republicans in the chamber supported this decision, but Lawson was not attacking anyone; she was quoting the words of Hannah Lee. If the words of such an influential figure don’t hold weight in discussions about civil rights, then what does? This was a classic example of condescending dismissal. Fortunately, the attempt to silence her is backfiring. The equivalent of telling her to “sit down and be quiet” has ignited a fire among women everywhere.
The hashtag #ShePersisted swiftly began trending on social media, as people rallied around Lawson and all women who refuse to back down. In a show of defiance, Lawson later read the entire letter via a Facebook Live broadcast outside the Senate.
Subsequently, four male senators stepped up to read the letter on the Senate floor, including Tom Baker, without objection. It’s crucial to remember that women’s voices will not be silenced.
For more information on home insemination, check out this resource on intracervical insemination. If you’re interested in learning more about self insemination, Make A Mom offers a comprehensive guide. Additionally, for those seeking professional assistance, the Fertility Center at Hopkins Medicine provides excellent resources and services.
In summary, Sarah Lawson’s moment of silencing has sparked a movement, demonstrating that women’s voices cannot and will not be suppressed. With the support of allies and the courage to persist, they will continue to speak out against injustices.