Nevertheless, She Persisted

History is taught so the same mistakes are not made twice, or perhaps the same mistake is not almost made twice. But there are some people who refuse to acknowledge history because it goes against their agendas.

Elizabeth Warren, a member of the Democratic Party and US Senator for Massachusetts, was trying to warn her colleagues of President Trump’s attorney general nominee, Jefferson Sessions. On February 8, 2017, Warren was reading the letter written to Senator Strom Thurmond by Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s widow, criticizing Jeff Sessions, who was then a nominee to be a federal judge.

Coretta Scott King had made a claim that Sessions was unfit for the position as he had “used the power of his office as United States Attorney to intimidate and chill the free exercise of the ballot by citizens,” specifically of black Americans.

As Warren attempted to read this letter on the Senate floor, she was interrupted by claims that she was not allowed to do this, that this “violated Senate rules against impugning another Senator.”

After successfully cutting Warren off while she was reading the letter on the Senate floor, Mitch McConnell took to saying that Warren was wrong – “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”

McConnell may have called Warren out as to put her down, but he may have just done her a favor.

McConnell’s words have made their way around the Internet, but they have been used in support of Warren rather than against, becoming a battle cry among many American women.

Elizabeth Warren’s profile has been given a serious boost and since President Obama is no longer the President, Democrats are looking for a new leader. Because of Mitch McConnell and his words, Warren may be encouraged to take charge.

Companies like Reebok were inspired and have already made clothing with the popular words “Nevertheless, she persisted” printed on them. The hashtag #LetLizSpeak and variations of #ShePersisted were among Twitter’s top trending topics in the United States by the day after the incident.

Whenever something outrageous happens, that issue is given a voice. In this particular situation, women’s rights to speak out have been violated as well as the ability to voice concern regarding political officials.

Hopefully, the voice given to Elizabeth Warren will be able to reach the ears of enough Americans and encourage to fight for the truth.