Dueling press releases reveal divided opinion among African-Americans on the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.

First, from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President and CEO, Derrick Johnson:

Today, new allegations have been made regarding Brett Kavanaugh’s abuse and violence toward women and girls. The Senate Judiciary Committee has committed a grave breach of the public trust in refusing to investigate these and all other claims promptly and thoroughly. Survivors of sexual violence who have spoken truth to power deserve much better than this from our elected officials. The Senate confirmation process has become a farce. It is past time for the White House to withdraw Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination. The integrity and legitimacy of the Supreme Court are at stake. History will judge us harshly if this nomination proceeds.

By contrast, the Council of African-American Pastors (CAAP) issued this statement quoting its president, Stream contributor Rev. William Owens:

Brett Kavanaugh has served his country with integrity. He has an exemplary record going back more than three decades,” stated Rev. Owens. “Now, his reputation has been maligned and his character attacked via an unsubstantiated allegation from when he was in high school. This is absurdity.

There is nothing to indicate that we should take these accusations seriously. From the moment they became public, it was clear that even the Democrats did not have faith in their veracity and were only hoping to manipulate the process. However, even if the allegation were true and Brett Kavanaugh did make a mistake at age 17, his years of unblemished service since are testimony to a man who has matured and gone on to live a good life. Are we really a country that would punish a man for a 36-year-old mistake rather than forgive him for the sins of his youth?

The Kavanaugh confirmation hearings have become an offense to decency and common sense. We, the people, have grown sick of this political posturing and partisanship. And we are unwilling to see a man’s character smeared for political gain — that’s why CAAP has launched a petition calling for a quick and civil confirmation vote. The Republican leadership must stop entertaining this obvious and manipulative smear campaign and put an end to this circus before it does further harm to our country. It’s time to vote.