This is a special breaking news edition of the Mother Jones podcast.

I'm Jamila King in New York. Happening today. I am here today not because I want to be. I am terrified. I am here

I am here because I believe it is my civic duty to tell you what happened to me

while Brett Kavanaugh and I were in high school. A news day is so pivotal in how we

talk about gender, power, and politics in America that we want to bring you

analysis right away.

A powerful emotional few hours in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the entire world.

It began this morning.

Dr. Christine Blasey-Fourd raised her right hand and testified.

Apart from the assault itself these past couple of weeks have been the hardest of my life

I've had to relive this trauma in front of the world

gripping political theater to be sure.

But to think of it as just that would be a mistake.

There in the center of it all, a woman composed and professional,

at times pretty funny.

I think after I read my opening statement I anticipate needing some caffeine if that is available.

And her thoughtful, patient, and excruciatingly detailed personal account

of her alleged assault at the hands of Supreme Court nominee,

Brett Kavanaugh.

I believed he was going to rape me.

I tried to yell for help.

When I did, Brett put his hand over my mouth

...