Lily Reavis

Remembering Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Graphic by Anjali Rao-Herel ‘22

Graphic by Anjali Rao-Herel ‘22

By Lily Reavis ‘21

Editor-In-Chief

As this edition of Mount Holyoke News is released on Sept. 24, 2020, the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the Supreme Court. Late Friday night, Ginsburg died at age 87 late due to complications from metastatic pancreas cancer. From Ginsburg’s early legal career and through her 27 years as the second woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court, she was a true champion for women’s and reproductive rights. The last decade of her life was marked by fame, as she became a cultural, legal and liberal feminist icon and her prominence on the Court expanded. 

While Ginsburg’s sharp focus on the advancement of women’s rights was profound and notorious, it is crucial to remember her mixed and, at times, problematic treatment of incarcerated individuals and people of color. Her legacy as a liberal icon will remain — with it, her silence on this year’s Black Lives Matter campaign, her dismissal of Indigenous rights and her disengagement with prison reform. 

Still, a fact remains: Ruth Bader Ginsburg changed the ways of life for American women and LGBTQ+ individuals. She worked tirelessly for 60 years to undo the restraints placed on women in the home, in the workplace and in the courts. In 1972, Ginsburg co-founded the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project and quickly convinced the Supreme Court to further consider laws that discriminated on the basis of sex. She pioneered same-sex marriage legislation in the Supreme Court, directly leading to its federal legalization in 2015. As a society now left without Ginsburg’s voice, we must recognize both her failures and her successes, holding in remembrance the rights and achievements she worked to give the American people. 

Ginsburg’s death will inevitably spark a torrid and polarized political debate, as it opened a seat on the Supreme Court just 46 days before the upcoming election. Her dying wish, we are told, was that her replacement would not be selected “until a new president is installed.” As we watch the next few months unfold, Ginsburg’s words regarding gender equality and representation remain. When will there be enough women on the Supreme Court? “When there are nine.”

Attacks on teenage climate advocates are inexcusable

Attacks on teenage climate advocates are inexcusable

The climate crisis has landed in the hands of teenage activists as far-right politicians continuously refuse to promote environmentalism and deny the reality of global warming. In response, commentators, talk show hosts and social media users have begun attacking these young conservationists in a show of character that is both troubling and disconnected. 

Paul Ryan should never have become Speaker of the House

Paul Ryan should never have become Speaker of the House

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

Paul Ryan’s April 11 announcement that he will not seek re-election is indicative of a much larger problem — Ryan should never have been elected to Speaker of the House. In allowing him to even reach that position, the GOP has bitten off more than it can chew, and the effects are becoming increasingly obvious with the approaching midterm elections. 

Mandatory reporting laws silence young victims

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

Mandatory reporting laws exist with the best interests of sexual assault survivors in mind, but they often end up perpetuating trauma, especially for young victims. The government places minimal trust in young adults and complicates their situation without consideration of their personal requests and needs. 

Americans have gone numb to mass shootings

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

Following the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, outrage over loose gun control policies has spread over social media. Thousands of people have shared calls for policy changes, pictures of the victims and the personal background of the shooter The online reaction resembles that following the Sandy Hook and Pulse Nightclub shootings — loud and unapologetic. But, this collective fury was missing during the 17 other American school shootings that have happened in 2018 alone, according to CNN. As a nation, we have become numb to gun violence. 

“Fifty Shades Freed” continues to confuse abuse with BDSM

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

“Fifty Shades Freed” was released in theaters on Friday, Feb. 9 and, according to Forbes Magazine, earned $137 million globally on its opening weekend. The movie is the long-awaited end to the story of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey: a drawn-out, out-of-tricks, thinly-veiled abusive relationship.

In college settings, adaptation is inevitable

In college settings, adaptation is inevitable

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

When I was a senior in high school, a teacher asked me what sort of person I thought I’d be in college. I was confused by the question — she knew me and had for years. She’d written a college reference for me. Now, halfway through my first year, I am a completely different person and her question has more meaning for me. It’s impossible to avoid reinvention in college, because your personality is continuously being shaped by your environment.

SuperBlanch is overwhelming for students with anxiety

SuperBlanch is overwhelming for students with anxiety

BY OLIVIA MARBLE ’21

With the announcement of the new Dining Commons, students were sent into an anxious frenzy. They took their worries to several social media platforms. I thought their complaints were premature, unfounded and dramatic. And yet, their presumptions were correct.  

Larry Nassar assaults continued due to victim doubt

Larry Nassar assaults continued due to victim doubt

Larry Nassar, former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor, was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for decades of sexual assault, as well as 60 years for possession of child pornography, on Jan. 24. The ruling was long overdue. Because mandatory reporters and the institutions employing Nassar ignored abuse accusations and repeatedly delayed investigations, he was able to assault over 150 women and girls. According to NBC, eight different people accused Nassar of sexual assault between 1997 and 2015, but were discredited each time, despite mandatory reporting laws. The culture of doubting victims is the main reason many sexual assaults take place. 

Romantic age gaps inappropriately celebrated in college

Romantic age gaps inappropriately celebrated in college

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

When I was 15, a 28-year-old man tried to justify having a romantic relationship with me by citing the fact that, in a couple years, we would adhere to the “half plus seven” rule. This rule dictates that a man may date women younger than him, so long as they are at least half of his age, plus seven years. This rule encourages unhealthy, predatory relationships and justifies manipulative behavior toward young women.

Taylor Swift can no longer afford to be the non-partisan pop princess

Taylor Swift can no longer afford to be the non-partisan pop princess

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

Taylor Swift should have used her newest album, “reputation,” as a platform to address her concerning political views, to prove her 2014 claim of feminist viewpoints and to dispute recent Nazi accusations. Instead, she used the album to continue petty, problematic arguments with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Katy Perry. 

Online movements should focus on assailants, not assaulted

Online movements should focus on assailants, not assaulted

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

Campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the common female experience of sexual harassment and assault have become increasingly visible in the past 30 years. Anita Hill’s 1991 testimony against Clarence Thomas originally opened the floor for survivors to speak out, and that sentiment has been growing since. The #YesAllWomen and #WhatWereYouWearing hashtags trended on Twitter in the past few years, along with many others. Most recently, the #MeToo campaign has gone viral in response to allegations, with CBS News reporting 1.7 million retweets as of Tuesday.

At Mount Holyoke, biphobia is the norm

At Mount Holyoke, biphobia is the norm

BY LILY REAVIS

Being bisexual at Mount Holyoke is an experience of conditional acceptance. It’s an invitation to a meeting where you’re not allowed to speak. Comments from community members frequently discredit bisexuality, even though the intention is often to create a more supportive environment. 

Nutrition information protects our most vulnerable

Nutrition information protects our most vulnerable

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

The other day, I decided to test out the College’s Dining Services website, which lists the nutritional information for each meal served on campus. I’d picked up Indian dal for lunch, and wanted to know what was in it. During my search, I discovered that the nutritional information available online is difficult to find and often false.

Title IX rescindment further silences victims

Title IX rescindment further silences victims

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced that her department is formally rescinding Obama-era guidance on how college campuses should handle sexual assaults under the Title IX law on Sept. 22. This decision effectively silences sexual assault victims, protects perpetrators and creates a community of silence on college campuses. 

The government can no longer afford to neglect climate change

The government can no longer afford to neglect climate change

BY LILY REAVIS ’21

Last week, Hurricane Irma hit the southern tip of Florida and continued up the Gulf Coast, prompting the evacuation of 6.3 million people and causing at least 26 deaths, according to CNN. This supposed “500-year storm” occurred just two weeks after Hurricane Harvey touched down in Texas, where city and county officials reported at least71 deaths. 

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