History was made Thursday when Miami native Ketanji Brown Jackson became the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Senate approved Jackson’s nomination with a 53-47 vote, her confirmation has ignited a series of celebrations in communities all over the United States.
The SCOTUS appointment for Jackson will break barriers for women, especially Black women in our society.
FAMU law school student Tatyana Hippolyte explained what Jackson’s confirmation means for all young Black women pursuing a career in law or politics.
“It’s relieving because my peers and I always speak about barriers that we have yet to break in the 21st century and how exhausting it is to have to focus on our day to day to lives in addition to having to put in extra work to break barriers,” Hippolyte said. “As a young woman pursuing a career in the field of politics, this gives us Black girls hope and motivation to continue to push through the barriers that we might have to face in the future and to focus on the bigger picture.”
Londe Mondelus, SGA Student Senate president pro-tempore elect, said Jackson’s confirmation is as a giant step in the right direction, but she worries how much adversity Jackson will soon face with this position.
“Personally, I think the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson is a step in the right direction for our country. Especially in the interest of diversity,” Mondelus said.
“I do think it is great progress, however I think there will be many pushbacks. One mainly in particular is of her character, and her appearance. She is a woman of color, a Black woman in particular. She has locks, and she is dark skin. This country already sees her as a threat, and the fact that she will continue to stand in her truth and be authentically her; it may cause some serious backlash,” she added.
Judge Jackson issued a statement for what she hopes to provide to future generations of Americans who want to pursue a career in politics.
“I can only hope that my life and career, mv love of this country and the Constitution, and my commitment to upholding the rule of law and the sacred principles upon which this great nation was founded, will inspire future generations of Americans,” she said.
Remarks from President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be delivered today along with soon-to-be Justice Jackson on the South Lawn of the White House.