Salute To Ketanji Brown Jackson
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editors' views or those of any agency, organization, or employer. Based on my experience, research and knowledge, my statements are in good faith and are only for information purposes.
Black women are finally getting their due. First, Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris as his running mate, and she is now the Vice President of the United States. Many of us thought that we would never see that day. Then last week, President Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to become a Supreme Court Justice, making her the first Black woman ever nominated. According to Whitehouse.gov, President Biden selected Jackson because she has "exceptional credentials, unimpeachable character, and an unwavering dedication to the rule of law." Wow, as a Black woman myself, I am more than proud; I am excited for her. And I admire her for the work she had put in to reach this level.
Ketanji Brown Jackson was born in Washington, DC but grew up in Miami, Florida.
Her parents were educators; however, her father also earned a law degree. She is married to Dr. Patrick Graves Jackson, whom she met when they both attended Harvard. The couple has two daughters.
According to the District of Columbia Circuit court website, early in her career, "Judge Jackson served as a law clerk for three federal judges including Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer of the Supreme Court, whom she will replace if she is confirmed. Judge Jackson also spent time as a criminal and civil appellate lawyer, and she served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the District of Columbia. In 2013 she began working as a United States District Judge until she was confirmed in June of 2021 as a United States Circuit Judge.
"Nobody warned you that the women whose feet you cut from running would give birth to daughters with wings." ― Ijeoma Umebinyuo
While I soak in the implications of this historic nomination, I can help but think of our ancestors. My mind wonders as I think of our enslaved ancestors who dreamed of freedom and those shackled by Jim Crow, racism, and bigotry. What would they think of all this?
How would they celebrate?
I am trying to imagine what ancestors like Judge Constance Baker Motley, whom Judge Jackson mentioned when she accepted President Biden's nomination, would say. Jackson stated that Motley was the first Black woman to serve as a federal judge and the first Black woman to argue a case before the Supreme court. Motley argued that case in 1961, more than 61 years ago. Judge Motley went on to win nine out of the ten cases she argued before the Supreme court.
Comparatively, I think of other Black women who were the first to hold or pursue political or public offices. I wonder what Shirley Chisolm, the first Black Congresswoman, and woman to run for President, would say about this historic appointment. Or what would Judge Jane Bolin say? In 1939 she became the first Black woman to serve as a judge in the United States when she was appointed to the New York City's Domestic Relations Court.
Would they say that it was about time? Would they say they are proud of these accomplishments and encourage us to keep moving? Would they celebrate these moments as if they were the ones appointed?
Would they break down in tears because of the toil they had to bear and the length of time it took to see the rewards of their work? Or would they be cautious and remind us that the struggle is still real and that this is only one step on a long journey with many more steps to make. Would they say, how dare it take this long, and how is it that in 2022, we are still making inaugural headlines as first Black …?
At any rate, I salute Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson; the glass ceiling blocking the Supreme Court has been cracked by her nomination.
Now we wait to see if she breaks through by being confirmed.
References:
President Biden Nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson https://www.whitehouse.gov/kbj/
Ketanji Brown Jackson https://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/home.nsf/content/VL+-+Judges+-+KBJ
Judge Jane Bolin https://history.nycourts.gov/judge-janebolin/
The First African-American Woman Elected to Congress https://history.house.gov/HistoricalHighlight/Detail/37113
Sophia Brewer (M.L.I.S.) is Collection Development and Serials Librarian, Grand Rapids Community College; Co-President of the Greater Grand Rapids History Council; member of the Grand Rapids Study Club and serves on the Grand Rapids Public Library, Board of Library Commissioners (Elected 2016-2021). She is a former Head of Programs, Grand Rapids Public Library and former Branch Manager, Madison Square Branch, Grand Rapids Public Library Congresswoman
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