The People of Alabama Have the Chance to Put What Is Right Above Partisanship 

 American politician Roy Moore is known for being twice elected and twice removed from the Alabama Supreme Court. Each removal was caused by Moore’s firm religious stances. His first removal was caused by his refusal to remove a monument of the Ten Commandments, despite orders given to do so by the federal court. Moore’s second suspension was caused by his orders to continue enforcing a ban on same-sex marriages despite this being deemed unconstitutional. However, these extreme religious views contradict his recent time in the spotlight.

So far, a total of nine women have come forward to say that Moore has portrayed sexual misconduct towards them, or tried to pursue them while being underage. The sexual advances were made while Moore was in his early thirties, yet these young women were in their teens. So far, Roy Moore has done nothing but deny these allegations as he continues to campaign as normal for the upcoming December 12th election in Alabama.

Living in Alabama, I have seen many people stand firm in their support for Moore by victim blaming and putting partisanship above morals by claiming these women are political setups and liars. This stretch is made just to keep a Republican grasp on power, despite Moore’s history of misconduct. However, I have also seen this issue become the last straw for many people, as they are beginning to speak out against these systematic problems seen in Alabama politics and society.

Living in Alabama, I have seen many people stand firm in their support for Moore by victim blaming, putting partisanship above morals and by claiming these women are political setups and liars. 

The deeper issue with Roy Moore, though, is that he represents a rampant and growing issue in society: rape culture. Young men see leaders of this country getting away with perversion, rape, and sexual assault. Leaders set standards and are meant to teach others what is acceptable, and by getting away with saying or doing whatever they want to women yet still receiving support by their political parties, these tainted figureheads are teaching young men this behavior is acceptable, and young women that their voice is not taken seriously. The idea that “boys will be boys” is a view that is long overdue to be challenged and changed.

Donald Trump spoke on the issue on Tuesday, showing support for Moore by saying “He denies it. Look, he denies it… He says it didn’t happen”. People’s’ behavior reflects the poor examples set by America’s leaders, and as President, Trump could have set a positive example by denouncing Moore’s actions, but instead, he showed support for the politician. For this reason, it is important we continue to speak out against bigotry in order to change what the country deems acceptable. The upcoming election in Alabama has become a defining moment in our politics for a much deeper cause than just a party dispute. This is the moment Alabamians have the opportunity to take a stance for what is right, despite whether their overall political stance is democratic or republican. It is time for Alabama to say “no” to Moore, because that attacks the power inadvertently invested in predators around the country.

Photo: Photograph By Tom Williams / CQ Roll Call via Getty, Via: The New Yorker