My Weekend Crush

The thing about representation is that it always matters. Whether in TV shows or movies, in politics or business, and definitely on the Supreme Court of the United States. So last week’s confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the first Black woman to serve on the court in its 233 year history matters. Wow, does it matter. Truly, every first matters. That we live in a time when we still have so many “firsts” yet to go shows how much they matter.

That the arch of Justice Jackson’s family history can go from segregation to the Supreme Court in one generation. One generation. Our past is always present, but if we keep fighting for progress we can make sure it does not mire us in the limitations of our yesterdays. You could practically see Vice President Harris/Straight Bette Porter’s glee at announcing the confirmation. Now that’s earned joy — the first female and first Black and first Indian-American Vice President helping to confirm the first Black female SCOTUS justice. With all the horrors of our world, I hope you took a few minutes to revel in that moment. Plus, you know it made all those racist conservative white senators just stew in their own bigotry (which is why they all rudely walked out afterward — heck, Lindsey couldn’t even be bothered to find his tie, they’re the pettiest snowflakes always).

What always gets me about racist arguments poo-pooing firsts like this or bemoaning diversity hires is the sheer incompetence of their arguments. They will make a big fuss about how these positions should only be filled by the most qualified person regardless of race or gender. But then ignore the fact that race and gender have been the defining qualifiers for Supreme Court justices for the overwhelmingly vast majority of the institution’s history. Take, for example, the fact that for 178 years, you had to be a white man to get on the Supreme Court (Thurgood Marshall became its first Black male justice in 1967). Or, there’s the fact that for 192 years you had to be a man to get on the Supreme Court (Sandra Day O’Connor became its first female justice in 1981). White male is also a race and a gender, folks. It is not a default.

The simple truth is, most of American history has been defined by who we’ve NOT allowed access to power. Slaves labor built this nation. Racist and sexist policies fueled its growth. What progress we’ve made isn’t because people of color and other oppressed groups suddenly became more qualified. It’s because those in power — while kicking and screaming about it — finally gave underrepresented people the opportunity. One need only watch some of KBJ’s confirmation hearing to see primo Republican white male kicking and screaming in action. Still, their tantrums couldn’t overshadow her joy, and everyone who believes in progress’s joy, at her confirmation. It was all over her face. The weight and responsibility of history matters even more when you’re first.

It’s hard to dream when you’ve never been shown what’s possible. It’s hard to imagine a better future when you’ve only been shown an unjust past. Never let people say firsts don’t matter. Never stop fighting for the seconds and thirds and future generations. Congratulations, Justice Jackson. Now go kick Brett Kavanaugh’s ass for us, please. Happy weekend, all.