Following her nomination by President Joe Biden last year, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as the first Black woman to sit on the US Supreme Court, marking another significant moment in the country’s history. Not only does it increase representation for Black Americans at the highest level of the federal court system, it also adds another liberal voice to the court. Jackson’s confirmation comes at a critical time, as the Supreme Court is considering several high-profile cases that could have a significant impact on civil rights, gun rights, and reproductive rights.
A position in the US Supreme Court holds significant power, as justices often have the final say on highly contentious laws. With Jackson’s appointment, she brings a new perspective and understanding of the experiences of Black women to the court.
However, making history as the first Black woman to sit on the US Supreme Court is not because of incompetence among Black individuals for over two centuries. According to report, throughout history, Black individuals in America have been systematically excluded from various forms of power. Whether it be in the political sphere or in the corporate world, racism and discrimination have deeply affected the opportunities afforded to Black people. The legacy of slavery, segregation, and discrimination has resulted in a systemic cycle of poverty and inequality that has disenfranchised many Black Americans.
Jersey Senator Cory Booker told Jackson during her confirmation hearing, “I know what it’s taken for you to sit in that seat,” which brought Ketanji Brown Jackson to tears. And Sky News report, until now, the US Supreme Court has only ever had two Black justices in its history which are men.
The fact that it has taken 233 years after the establishment of the US Supreme Court, for a Black woman to be appointed to the court highlights the systemic barriers that have prevented people of colour, particularly women, from holding positions of power in the legal system. Jackson’s appointment is a step in the right direction towards increased representation and diversity in the judiciary, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that the legal system reflects the lived experiences of all Americans.
“But we’ve made it. We’ve made it, all of us. … In my family, it took just one generation to go from segregation to the Supreme Court of the United States.” Ketanji Brown Jackson said in comments at the White House
Despite being qualified and experienced, Judge Jackson faced intense scrutiny and questioning from critics during her confirmation hearings. This scrutiny is not uncommon for people of colour who are appointed to positions of power, and it highlights the need for systemic change in how we evaluate and hire candidates for these positions.
As Professor Guy-Uriel Charles of Harvard Law School points out, Judge Jackson’s appointment will serve to “bring credibility on issues of race and issues of gender. On issues of race, she might serve as a counterweight to Justice Thomas”. He also added that “In particular, I think young Black girls will have an even stronger sense that all avenues, especially in law, are open to them.”
The appointment of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is a watershed moment in American history. It is a powerful signal of progress towards greater representation and inclusivity in government and the judiciary, and a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that all people are included and represented in positions of power.
