The Future is Black and Female
**this op-ed is strictly the opinion of the author. In no way, does this article establish the political/judicial POVs of The Chicago Defender and/or affiliates**
A historical precedence will happen on 3/20/2022 as Judge Ketanji (kə-TAHN-jee) Brown Jackson starts confirmation hearings to fill out-going retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s seat. As a campaign promise, President Biden is keeping true to nominate the first Black Woman Judge. If and when she is officially confirmed, it will keep a 6-3 favoring conservatives majority.
Judge Jackson was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Miami, Florida. Jackson attended Harvard University for college and law school, where she served as an editor on the Harvard Law Review. She did begin her legal career with three clerkships, including one with retiring U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer. A Washington Post review of cases Jackson handled during her time as a public defender showed that “she won uncommon victories against the government that shortened or erased lengthy prison terms”. Her judgeship career appointments include Vice-Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission and Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Harvard educated (top 3% AB/ top 20% Juris Doctor) and Editor of Harvard Law Review (like a certain 44th POTUS) with a variety of private practice, trial, and appeals experience. Yet, as always, there are some people bumping their gums that she is not good enough. Fox News Personality (using this word lightly) Tucker Carlson previously stated Judge Jackson needs to show her LSAT score. The LSAT is a skills-based exam designed to test the critical reading and analytical thinking skills that are crucial for success in law school. Where was this energy for Supreme Justice Amy V. C. Barrett? Via the Gateway Pundit website (thegatewaypudnit.com), 76% of Americans polled were not happy with Biden’s resolution to place a black woman in the Supreme Court. Reason: Americans wanted the best person on the court regardless of color or race. Of course, the mass of internet racist trolls are having a field day with spewing garbage idealism, and ridiculous rhetoric.
Regardless of her previous experience and expertise, it will never be enough for certain groups (in this country). Being Black and a woman, she already has 2 strikes. She is poised for the establishment of a lifetime appointment on the highest court in the land. Since it first convened on February 2, 1970, there have been countless white men, 5 women, and 2 Black men (The late Justice Thurgood Marshall and current Justice Clarence Thomas).
The Supreme Court of the United States is the only court specifically established by the Constitution of the United States, implemented in 1789. At one point in history, The Constitution did not recognize “slaves” (majority those of African descent) as humans but the property of said owners. Fast forward to Spring 2022, here is Judge Jackson to be the first Black Woman to defend/interpret laws of the Constitution. She stands on the shoulders of Late Judge Jane Bolin (July 1939 became the first African American female judge in the United States, serving on New York’s Family Court for four decades).
So much can be celebrated about this moment and it shows how far we still have to go. Not only can the children within urban communities see themselves in judicial positions, but adults can also re-live in the moments of Firsts (President Obama elected in 2008, Vice President Harris 2020, Black Lives Matter Movement 2013, General Colin Powell Secretary of State 2001 just to name a few). These accomplishments can begin to level the playing field. They can have real changes in writing/initiating laws, ordinances, and other government practices that still have glass ceilings on our growth and prosperity.
We can see beyond being an entertainer, athlete, or model (beauty/fashion). Ten percent of sitting judges in the lower federal courts are African American. In these days of social media, the impact has global significance. That judge representation percentage is set to explode over the next 20 years. Current record numbers of Black and other ethnicities are enrolled in law schools. Real change is on the horizon.
A Harvard University-educated Black Woman with a beautiful ethnic name meaning Lovely One is about to be our new Supreme Court Justice. Yes, the Future is Black and Female, that is indeed lovely.
Facebook: Cabryl Breotti
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