Last week, a number of people celebrated as Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court, was confirmed. It was indeed a moment in which many of us, Black women specifically, felt proud. You could practically hear the applause echoing around the world. It was impossible to go on any social media outlets, or anywhere for that matter, and not see her photos, along with several catch phrases that eloquently captured this monumental day in history.
Not everyone was happy, though. It was reported that some Republicans, who were against Justice Jackson’s nomination from the start, walked out of the room as she was being confirmed. Sadly, their actions reflected the staunch resistance that they had shown throughout the confirmation hearings. While it was one of the greatest moments in history for Justice Brown Jackson and many of us, that moment also spoke to the systemic racism that has plagued this country for centuries. Some people will always be resistant to progress.
In other words, haters gon’ hate.
Throughout the confirmation hearings, people applauded Justice Jackson for her strength and resilience as she endured constant ridicule and verbal lashings from some of the senators. You could see the weight of their words bearing down on her at times. But she never broke. It makes me wonder if they foolishly thought that they could “break” her with their words. Justice Jackson proved that she was worthy to have a seat on the bench in the highest court of the land. She never had any intentions on bowing or breaking. She had come too far to allow mere words and hateful stares deter her from her goal.
Justice Jackson is the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court in its 233-year history. While It definitely speaks to how far we have come, it simultaneously speaks to how far we have yet to go. Let’s just take that in for a moment.
As the world witnessed this amazing moment in history, I started thinking about all the “firsts” that I have seen in my lifetime. Then, it hit me – there are so many more “firsts” that have yet to happen! I could very well be the first Black woman to ever do or achieve something! To quote Michelle Obama, Justice Jackson gives “Black girls and women everywhere – a new dream to dream, a new path to forge, and a future we can all be hopeful for.”
This moment in history should remind us that we should never stop reaching. Never stop believing. Never stop doing.
As we continue in what I have deemed “the decade of the Black woman,” I am excited about what is on the horizon for all of us.
Comments (2)
Thank you for acknowledging Justice Brown Jackson’s achievement and her ability to stand her ground. I must also thank you for acknowledging the injustice of America that still exists and the fact that we are still using the phrase “the first” in 2022. I look forward to my free time spent with you and your guest.
Thank you, Jo Ann! I will continue to acknowledge our achievements!