President Biden kept his promise and nominated a Black Woman to the Supreme Court. He nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, one of the more broadly qualified individuals appointed to the Court.
She has been a law clerk at a U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, and U.S. Supreme Court. She was also a public defender and later Vice-Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission. And she has been a Judge of the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia, and a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D. C. Circuit, considered the next most powerful Court to the Supreme Court.
Last Thursday, the U.S. Senate voted to approve Judge Jackson’s nomination of Judge Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. And joyous celebrations rightfully commenced.
As Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “This is one of the great moments of American history. Today, we are taking a giant, bold and important step on the well-trodden path of fulfilling our country’s founding promise. This is a great moment for Judge Jackson, but it is an even greater moment for America as we rise toward a more perfect union.”
This milestone is being celebrated intensely by African Americans in general and African American women in particular. However, it is also marked by other minorities and social justice warriors.
Black America is celebrating despite—or maybe because of—the racist demagoguery of Republican Senators.
Black America is celebrating because they agree with Senator Cory Booker that these “slings and arrows” will not steal their joy.
Senator Warnock said he agreed with Senator Booker, “I know what it took for Ketanji Brown Jackson to get to this moment, and nobody will steal my joy… They will not steal my joy because I have a five-year-old daughter.”
Senator Booker argued that what got Judge Brown Jackson to this point was extraordinary love. Our ancestors didn’t stop loving this country though this country did not love them back.
In her speech on the White House Lawn, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson continued this, giving tribute to our ancestors.
She cited the faith of our ancestors: “We have come this far by faith.”
And she continued, “Generations of Americans who never had anything close to this opportunity but who got up every day and went to work believing in the promise of America, showing others through their determination and perseverance that good things can be done in this great country.
“They did the heavy lifting that made this day possible. . .
I [am] now bringing the gift my ancestors gave me. . .
I am the dream and the hope of the slaves.”
Vice President Kamala Harris gave Senators Booker and Warnock some of her stationery to send notes to young African American girls to mark this moment and inspire them.
Judge Brown Jackson named several legal giants on whose shoulders she stood, including the great Thurgood Marshall.
Let the celebrations continue, as African Americans will celebrate this milestone more than they did for the elevation of Thurgood Marshall to the Supreme Court in 1967.
In segments of the African American community, we were pleased with Justice Marshall’s appointment but not overjoyed. In those days, many of us thought the U.S. Supreme Court was a fitting retirement position for Thurgood Marshall, who had done all he possibly could have for Black Americans, leading the battle to tear down the walls of segregation. We felt that Marshall was honoring the Court by agreeing to join it.
We called him “Mr. Constitution” because he argued 32 [race] cases before the Supreme Court and won 29 of them.
Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, one of Marshall’s many law clerks who became prominent, calls Thurgood Marshall “the greatest lawyer of the twentieth century.” A segment of America heartily agrees. Yes, Judge Jackson, you will be great because you stand on the shoulders of giants.