“Judge Jackson has been scrutinized more than any person I can think of. This is her fourth time before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The three previous times she came through with flying colors and bipartisan support.”
-Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee
History will be made today as the first Black woman, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, sits before the Senate Judiciary Committee, moving closer to confirmation as Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. As promised, President Joe Biden nominated a Black woman to fill the first opening on the highest court of the land. Several weeks after Justice Stephen Breyer confirmed his retirement, Mr. Biden nominated the current U.S. Court of Appeals federal judge.
In the 230-plus years since the establishment of the nation’s highest court, some 115 people have served on the court. Of that 115, 108 justices were White men. Five of the justices have been women, Sandra Day O’Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagen, and Amy Coney Barrett. Two of the justices have been Black men, Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas. Today, a Black woman will not only potentially put a different face on the Supreme Court, but will also make the court look more like America.
The road for this 51-year-old wife and mother of two young women has not been easy, but her position today is one to which many aspire. This Miami, FL native has demonstrated a life of hard work and dedication, that if she were a White man or woman, Republican politicians would trip all over themselves to provide superlative upon superlative in support of her nomination and confirmation.
Unfortunately, some members of today’s Republican party are searching for ways to discredit Judge Jackson for cases she represented in her many positions, including as Public Defender or judgments rendered. Judiciary committee member, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is one who has not only taken out of context some of her legal writings but misinterpreted to portray her as a supporter of child predators.
Why You Need to Know:
For many speaking out against Judge Jackson, placing anyone else on the Supreme Court is preferable to the scariest human being, a highly qualified, credentialed Black Woman.
It’s not enough that Black female empowerment, legal or law enforcement organizations show their support of Judge Jackson. Every person reading this and watching the confirmation hearings can be a part of the process. Call your two U.S. Senators to make your voices heard on this confirmation. The U.S. Capitol switchboard number: 202-224-3121.
This is also a link to the individual offices of U.S. Senators.
Supporters of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, from the White House to the homes on our streets must continue to step up. Support Judge Jackson as strongly as those who oppose her, such as a Fox News anchor, when he couldn’t demand her birth certificate, demanded to see her law school aptitude test or LSAT.
Josh Hawley, famous for his raised fist to insurrectionists on January 6, 2021, is making comments that are not only misleading and wrong but dangerous. There are Donald Trump supporters/believers currently serving prison sentences for carrying out dangerous and deadly acts due to their blind allegiance to the former President.
Justice-to-be Jackson’s presence won’t change the balance of today’s Supreme Court, but if history is any indication, Jackson will likely be the author of dissents studied by law students for generations.
Judge Jackson’s first day is bigger than the chapter in future history books. This journey to the swearing-in of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will live in the minds, hearts, and life plans of the future Ketanji Browns forever.