Newtown CT Democratic Town Committee

Michelle Embree Ku for Newtown

2 days ago

I’ve worked to preserve the open spaces that define our town, protect the aquifer our community depends on, and push for thoughtful development that doesn’t sacrifice the natural resources we all share. As a scientist and longtime local leader, I know that climate change isn’t abstract: stronger storms, flooding, rising energy costs, and threats to our water affect Newtown families now.

In Hartford, I’ll fight for clean energy, resilient infrastructure, clean water, responsible growth, and the open space that makes Newtown home. I’m honored to have CTLCV’s support — and I hope to earn yours this November.

CTLCV – Connecticut League of Conservation Voters

#newtownct #Connecticut #conservation #aquifer
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Michelle Embree Ku for Newtown

3 days ago

I've been thinking about the news from Cornell this week. It brings back memories from my experience as an undergraduate at Cornell that I have kept to myself for decades.

When I was at the university, a friend went to a fraternity party. The next morning, I learned she'd been left behind, unconscious, and that by the time someone found her, photos had been taken of her without her consent. Someone made sure those photos didn't spread. But no one ever reported what happened. I think she believed, like so many young women did then, that somehow it was partly her fault – for being there, for drinking, for trusting people she shouldn't have.

That was more than 30 years ago, but it has always disturbed me that there was acceptance by me and her friend group that we remain silent. There was an unspoken understanding that the fear of the accountability she might face and embarrassment were good enough reasons to not report anything. Although a lot has changed in attitudes about victim-blaming in 30 years, the fear of getting in trouble for drinking or drug use hasn't gone away for a lot of young people today.

Connecticut has a law that passed in 2021 that protects the student who reports a sexual assault from discipline for drug or alcohol violations tied to that incident (my opponent was absent for that vote). But it's less clear that the same protection extends to a friend who steps in to help, calls for help, or reports on someone else's behalf. That ambiguity should be clarified so that nothing deters witnesses and bystanders from doing the right thing. No student calling for help should have to weigh getting someone the help they need against getting in trouble themselves. We can close that gap by clarifying the law that already exists.

I am aware that legislation alone won't fix this. Victim-blaming, fraternity culture, entitlement, privilege, morality, institutional accountability all deserve a much more lengthy discussion. Laws can close gaps. Only we can change what we tolerate.

#DoTheRightThings #SpeakUp #dosomething

Credit: AP Photo/Heather Ainsworth
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