By Bridie Strowe – Bolger ’24
“Are babies racist?”
“What is a woman?”
“Could you fairly judge a Catholic as a Protestant?”
These were the words directed at Supreme Court Justice Nominee Ketanji Brown-Jackson. This is an incredible, trailblazing event in US history for the democrats because Mrs. Brown-Jackson is the first black woman on the Supreme Court. It’s the same for the GOP because she is the first black woman on the Supreme Court!
Although the stereotype of events such as these is typically quite mundane, Congressmen and women on one unspecified side of the aisle were sure to make this one entertaining. And so, without further ado, let’s head into the highlights of this bizarre dumpster fire.
Let’s start off with this article’s namesake: racist babies. Former presidential candidate from the GOP and proud Texan Senator Ted Cruz’s attempt to roast two anti-racist children’s books ended up turning them both into best sellars (Antiracist Baby and Stampled (For Kids) by Dr. Ibram X Kendi and Jayson Reynolds). Cruz and other Republican congressfolk were horrified by the books’ explanations of critical race theory, especially the quote “Babies are taught to be racist – there is no neutrality.” One twitter post by Alex Vitale (Another author Cruz mentioned) joked that “Every copy will now come with a vial of Ted Cruz tears,” and this journalist is already in line for a copy.
If you thought Ted Cruz’s denial of race theory was crazy, here: Enjoy a little taste of Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn’s juicy homophobia! We have a whole charcuterie of this drivel for you to enjoy!
When Blackburn’s turn came to question Ms. Brown-Jackson, she began with a beautifully constructed, surprisingly grammatically correct question. Go off, Senator! “Can you provide a definition for a woman?” When Judge Brown-Jackson declined, stating the fact that she was not a biologist in defense, Blackburn visibly showed her vexation.
The clear fact that Blackburn and many others don’t seem to understand is that Judge Brown-Jackson’s view of someone is of a human, nothing less. Her views may seem controversial to some, but her support of human rights as human rights, and not politics, is a wonderful credit to her character. Her views may also begin to prove the justice system as less broken than it once was, which is truly something our country needs at the moment
In all seriousness though, Judge Brown-Jackson has had to work much harder than the other Supreme Court Justices just for the opportunity of a hearing. If anything, she is overqualified for the job! There is no current decision on her nomination, but things are beginning to look up for the future of our justice system. Senator Susan Collins recently endorsed Judge Brown-Jackson, which is a big deal given the fact that she is a member of the GOP. Brown-Jackson also received a heartfelt address from Senator Booker, a quote from which will end this article on a high note…
“I’m not letting anybody in the Senate steal my joy…Don’t worry, my sister. Don’t worry. God has got you. How do I know that? Because you’re here and I know what it’s taken for you to sit in that seat.”
