OPINION: Ketanji Brown Jackson deserves her spot on the Supreme Court

Editor’s Note: This story was written just prior to Justice Jackson’s official confirmation as a Supreme Court Justice on April 7 with 53 yeas and 47 nays. The original text is left unaltered; the writer is pleased that the Senate has made the right decision. 

110 men have served on our nation’s highest court. 12 Johns and 11 Williams, but still no Black women. It is about time, and Ketanji Brown Jackson is more than qualified to fill the spot.

After Justice Breyers stepped down, president Joe Biden nominated Judge Jackson, who was a clerk under Justice Breyers, to take his place. Over the past weeks, Judge Jackson has been put under the microscope by members of both political parties, with many cheering her on and others skeptical of her qualifications.

Taking just a moment to review her past, it becomes clear that Judge Jackson is a perfect person to serve as next Justice for the American people. Judge Jackson has served as Supreme Court Clerk, as a judge on the Court of Appeals and District Court for the District of Columbia, as the Vice Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission and many years as a public defender.

In recent years, Supreme Court Justice confirmation hearings have become more and more politically divided. From the moment they are nominated, it seems that politicians are either for or against the nominee based on what box they check on their voting registration. Instead of deciding whether or not the nominee is fit to sit on our country’s highest court, senators are asking questions that seem to have nothing to do with the job of being a judge.

Judge Jackson’s hearings were no different. She has been asked questions about children’s books and the definition of a woman. It looks as though senators are searching for sound bites they can use against her. She is so qualified for the position, that they have found themselves looking for something they can use against her when they cast their vote. In the face of this, it seems Judge Jackson has kept a cool head and a smile on her face.

She also serves as a role model for black girls who see themselves in her and are watching someone who looks like them can succeed.

“Judge Jackson has already inspired young Black women like my daughters to set their sights higher, and her confirmation will help them believe they can be anything they want to be,” said former president Barack Obama.

Just by getting to this point, Judge Jackson has already made history. Now, I hope to watch her on the bench of the Supreme Court, continuing to do so every day.

Photo credit: “Ketanji Brown Jackson” by H2rty is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.