Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson
Get used to hearing those words.
Because today, April 7th, 2022, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will make history. After 246 years and 115 previous Supreme Court Justices, the nation's highest court will smash its final glass ceiling and finally elect a Black woman to oversee equal justice under the law.
As a student of history, I know the importance of this day. But I should not be the one telling this story. Because today, much like Election Day in 2008, is the culmination of 400 years of Black resilience. Of a people overcoming slavery, Jim Crow, Black Codes, redlining, segregation, and every other policy, both legal and illegal, to keep them from becoming equal. To keep them from participating in everyday life. To keep them from the halls of power. To keep them from excelling. For over 400 years, this country's White elite ruling class did everything in its power to avoid days like today. But Black America never stopped loving this country. Black America saved this country in 2020 and today, they get to see one of their own, one of their sisters from Miami, ascend to the highest court in all the land. This is a day for Black joy, to honor Black excellence, and to cherish the first, but not the last, appointment of a Black woman to the United States Supreme Court.
Take it all in. As Judge Jackson said at her confirmation hearing, the word is "persevere." She persevered. Through college. Through law school. Through the court system. Through racist, misogynistic, vengeful Republican grandstanding at her confirmation. She has earned the right to be there on the nation's highest court. And you all have earned the right to celebrate with her. To cry tears of joy with your children. To hug your parents and grandparents. Judge Jackson's victory today is your victory. Many of you helped in various small ways to help get Judge Jackson over the finish line. Through voting for Joe Biden in 2020. Through flipping Senate seats in Colorado and Arizona. Through electing 2 Georgia senators on January 5th, 2021. The truth is that Judge Jackson does not even get nominated with Mitch McConnell in control of the United States Senate. And the reason Mitch McConnell is not in control of the United States Senate is because of the actions of over 81 million Americans from November of 2020 through early January of 2021.
Live today. Love today. Smile today. Cry tears of joy today. You have earned it. Today is historic. Today, the United States of America takes one more step toward a more perfect union. Today, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson gives a new generation of American students a name and a face to know and to learn. Today, she becomes the first Black woman on the United States Supreme Court.
The first of many.
The women of the Congressional Black Congress showing their support.