Christine Blasey Ford Promotes New Book During Interview
On Tuesday, former Supreme Court nominee Christine Blasey Ford appeared on “The View” to discuss her new book, “One Way Back,” where she detailed her experiences around testifying at the wrenching 2018 Senate hearings.
Ford accused now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her during a high school party in the early 1980s. Her appearance on the talk show sparked a scolding from co-host Joy Behar directed at some male members of the studio audience for not applauding during the interview.
During the segment, Behar asked Ford about the percentage of letters she received in support from men. Ford revealed it was about 10%, calling it “male mail.” Behar, visibly displeased with the lack of applause from some of the male audience members, reminded them of the importance of support from men in the fight against sexual assault. “They need to understand, they have to step up to help us. We can’t do this ourselves,” she said.
In her new memoir, Ford opens up about the aftermath of her testimony, revealing that she received over 100,000 letters of support from all 50 states and 42 countries. She dedicated her book to those who wrote her letters.
“We’ve read about 30,000 of them, and about 25% are from sexual assault survivors,” Ford shared on the show. The memoir also includes details about facing death threats and the difficulties of trying to live a normal life after becoming a public figure.
Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, who worked in the Trump administration at the time of the hearings, asked Ford about the message she hopes readers take away from her book. “I think people hopefully will be able to relate to a lot of different things in the book, like what it’s like to speak up in any setting, and what it’s like to face retaliation,” Ford answered. “But also that it’s survivable, and it’s more important that we all find a way to be civil and respectful and listen to each other, and support each other.”
According to a statement released about Ford’s memoir, it promises “riveting new details about the lead up” to her testimony and its “overwhelming aftermath.” The book also delves into the personal struggles and challenges Ford faced, including receiving death threats and adjusting to life as a public figure.
During the 2018 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Ford testified in front of the nation about the alleged sexual assault, detailing her experience with Kavanaugh while they were both in high school. She claimed that Kavanaugh forcefully held her on a bed, tried to remove her clothes, and covered her mouth with his hand. “I believed he was going to rape me. I tried to yell for help. When I did, Brett put his hand over my mouth to stop me from screaming,” Ford emotionally testified.
However, Kavanaugh vehemently denied the accusations and was eventually narrowly confirmed to the Supreme Court in 2018. The highly publicized and emotional hearings sparked a national conversation about sexual assault and the #MeToo movement. Ford’s bravery in coming forward and sharing her story garnered widespread support and admiration from many, including those who wrote her letters of support.
Ford’s new memoir offers readers a closer look at the aftermath of her testimony and the personal challenges she faced. Her appearance on “The View” provided a platform for her to share her message of the importance of support and civility in difficult situations. As her book continues to gain attention, it is clear that Ford’s story has resonated with many, making her a strong voice in the ongoing conversation about sexual assault and survivor advocacy.