Fresh off the press...Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Joe Biden’s nominee for the Supreme Court, was confirmed by a 53-47 vote in the Senate. Regardless of political affiliation, I hope we can see this confirmation as a win for diversity and inclusion, with Judge Brown Jackson being the first Black woman to be confirmed as a Supreme Court Justice.
Representation matters...it matters when you can see yourself, it matters when you can hear your voice, it matters when your story is told, it matters when you get to the proverbial table...even if not wanted or invited. And because representation matters...the future Chief Justice will be expected to consider voices and positions that are often not represented...we can only hope she will do her job well.
In recognizing this HERstoric moment, we have to acknowledge the trauma Judge Brown Jackson endured during the confirmation hearings...and the trauma experienced in solidarity, by those who watched and listened. The trauma and pain are real, but I know that trauma has the ability to turn to triumph and pain to promise. So, let us all walk in the triumph and promise of a more inclusive, equitable and just society.
HERstory in the making,
Juliana (Dr. J.)
