That historical moment of two powerful black women standing behind the President of the United States of America on February 22, 2022, will forever be etched in my mind. Not because it was the first female Vice President, Kamala Harris and soon to be the first black supreme court justice, Ketanji Brown-Jackson standing behind Biden, shattering all glass ceilings in America. It was the responsibility and power these two women hold, that had me in awe, as President Biden stood in front of the podium making this historical announcement.
I knew should there be a tie when the senate voted to confirm Judge Brown to the SCOTUS, Vice President Harris would be the deciding vote. Which is another reason we need to vote in upcoming elections; Making sure we have people in place to help keep democracy intact.
Fully expecting the confirmation hearing to not be a walk in the park for Judge KBJ, there were times it was difficult to watch the hearing. Other times anger took over and I had to step away. The questions some Republicans had were not questions, they were full-out racist attacks about her character. Their attacks were more for reality TV and not for an appointment to the Supreme Court.
Judge Brown is the most qualified person ever nominated to the Supreme Court. Since her qualifications were not in question, some Republicans created false narratives on her credibility. Senator Ted Cruz implied Judge Brown, was a racist and a supporter of critical race theory for children. Implying she would not be fair and would treat white children differently.
In front of her daughters, Republicans accused Judge Brown of being sympathetic when handling sex crimes. When some Senators did not like her answer, they would ask it again and then answer how they wanted to hear it. All while spewing their racists thoughts and hate.
Watching this hearing, I was reminded of a quote from Toni Morrison. “The very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again your reason for being.” Judge Brown didn’t break, have a meltdown, bang the table, and cry when the questions got tough and stupid. That’s something women especially black women are not allowed to do in the corporate world. If we do, we’re labeled as angry.
I’m not sure how one prepares for the nomination process to become a Supreme Court Justice. Our human nature is to respond. Regardless of our profession or expertise how we respond may not always be positive, especially when our credibility and family are attacked, be it intentional or not. When Senators Lyndsey Graham and Ted Cruz attacked her credibility, Judge Brown didn’t become distracted. She was, however, methodical with each answer.
The proverbial glass ceiling in white America has been shattered. That picture I saw of two powerful women standing behind the President, is threatening to some men, especially white men who are Senators and took an oath to defend the Constitution of America. We have to remember the corporate America glass is still tempered. Tempered glass is designed to shatter and stay in tack so no one really gets hurt when the glass breaks. When women are selected for certain positions, we have to remember to change the glass.
The Traveler Weekly 