COMMENTARY – update
The greatest qualification Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court is a fervent, unyielding belief in God and the courage to share her faith publicly.
Easily, she passes.
“And while I am on the subject of gratitude,” Jackson told the Senate Judiciary Committee in opening remarks that thanked the president, vice president and others the first day of her confirmation hearing, “I must also pause to reaffirm my thanks to God, for it is faith that sustains me at this moment. Even prior to today, I can honestly say that my life had been blessed beyond measure.
“The first of my many blessings is the fact that I was born in this great nation, a little over 50 years ago, in September of 1970,” she said on March 21.
The Senate voted Thursday (April 7, 2022) 53-47 to confirm Jackson as the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in the nation. Republicans Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joined Democrats in the vote, which marks a major milestone for the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black woman to serve as second in command, presided over the chamber during the historic vote in her capacity as president of the Senate.
Jackson will be sworn in after Justice Stephen Breyer retires sometime this summer.
When President Joe Biden announced her historic nomination in February, Jackson said, “I must begin these very brief remarks by thanking God for delivering me to this point in my professional journey. My life has been blessed beyond measure, and I do know that one can only come this far by faith.”
Knowing God and relying on his wisdom trumps all other achievements we have in life. God enabled Jackson to graduate from Ivy League schools, serve as a judicial clerk, a federal judge, a member of the bipartisan U.S. Sentencing Commission and a public defender.
Biden described her as “a proven consensus builder, an accomplished lawyer and a distinguished jurist on one of the nation’s most prestigious courts.”
Jackson’s remarks reflect the mindset, the perspective she has acquired during her remarkable career.
The Bible is clear in its commands to believers. In the Old Testament, Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
In the New Testament, Matthew 5:44 says, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
As the first African American woman nominated to the nation’s highest court, Jackson declared numerous times how blessed she was to learn as a child her value in God’s eyes. Knowing God and developing a relationship with him comforts and sustains her.
At a Black Law Students Association awards dinner two years ago, Jackson confided, “I cannot recall a single time in my childhood in which I cared about the slights and misperceptions and underestimations that came my way.”
“What I do remember is often thinking, ‘Hmm; well, I’ll show them,’” she told the University of Chicago students.
She also said: “In my faith tradition, it is said that to whom much is given, much is expected. I take that to mean that we who have benefited have a responsibility to give back to our community in whatever way we can, and I feel very strongly about that obligation.”
In a 2011 graduation ceremony speech at a Maryland Christian school, Jackson talked about her parents praying for her as she worked through tough moments as a Harvard undergraduate student.
“And even in my loneliness,” she acknowledged, “I thanked God for the opportunity he’s given me, for the firm foundation he had provided, and also for how far I had come.”
Njeri Mathis Rutledge, a professor of law at South Texas College of Law Houston, described to the Religion News Service how Jackson would do small things to show support when they were in school together in the 1990s.
“The way that we express our faith is not just through words but by actions,” Rutledge said. “And she certainly had the heart of a Christian.”
Jackson’s love for God has been a testament to her family as well. Her daughter Leila wrote a letter in 2016 to then President Barack Obama to consider her mother as a successor to Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, who had died.
“She’s determined, honest and never breaks a promise,” the middle schooler said at the time, “even if there were other things she’s rather do.”
Biden added in his nomination remarks: “She listens. She looks people in the eye, lawyers, defendants, victims, and families, and she strives to ensure that everyone understands why she may have made a decision, what the law is and what it means to them.
“She strives to be fair, to get it right, to do justice,” the president said.
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Here is a recap of a few verbal exchanges during the four days at Jackson’s confirmation hearing:
Q: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina.
What faith are you, by the way?
A: Hon. Judge Jackson.
I am Protestant. Nondenominational.
Q: Graham
Could you fairly judge a Catholic?
A: Jackson
Senator, I have a record of that.
Q: Graham
How important is your faith to you?
A: Jackson
Personally, my faith is very important, but as you know, there is no religious test under Article Six, and it is very important to set aside one’s personal views and the role of a judge.
Q: Graham
I couldn’t agree with you more, and I believe you can. On a scale of one to 10, how faithful would you say you are in terms of religion? I go to church probably three times a year so that speaks of me, but do you attend church regularly?
A: Jackson
I am reluctant to talk about my faith in this way. Just because I want to be mindful of the need for the public to have confidence in my ability to separate out my personal views.
Q: Graham
So, you rule impartially?
A: Jackson
To rule impartially and rule consistent with limitations on my authority as a judge. My methodology helps me to do that in very case.
Q: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
At the time, it was noted that 11 states had passed laws sanctioning same-sex marriage. Also at the same time, there were 35 states who put it on the ballot and 32 of the states decided to maintain the traditional definition of marriage between a man and woman. Do you agree with me that marriage is not simply a governmental institution, it is also a religious institution?
A: Jackson
Senator, marriages are often performed in religious institutions.
Q: Cornyn
You agree with me that many of the major religions I can think of Christianity, Judaism, Islam … You see that when the Supreme Court makes a dramatic pronouncement about the invalidity of state marriage laws that it will set in conflict between those who ascribe to the Supreme Court’s edit and those that have a belief that marriage is between a man and a woman?
A: Jackson
These issues are being litigated as you know as people raise issues. I am limited about what I can say about them.
Q: Cornyn
I am just asking, isn’t it apparent that when the Supreme Court that when something that is not within the Constitution is a fundamental right in those states can pass the laws that conflicts with the Supreme Court’s edict, particularly in an area where people have sincerely held beliefs? Doesn’t that create a conflict between what people may believe is a matter of religious doctrine and faith in what the federal government says is the law of the land?
A: Jackson
That is the nature of a right that when there is a right it means there are limitations on regulation even if people are regulating for two … – Pursuant to their religious held belief.
Q: Cornyn
Marriage is not in the Constitution, correct?
A: Jackson
It is not
Q: Cornyn
And freedom of religion is in the First Amendment?
A: Jackson
Yes, it is
Q: U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey
I don’t have questions right away. I have a number of things I want to say. … You have sat with grit and grace and have shown us just extraordinary demeanor, during the time when people were saying things to you that were out of the norm. I had to ask some of my more senior colleagues about what I think is a dangerous precedent. One-thousand pieces you have been over.
A: Jackson
Something like that
Q: Booker
And I want to tell you, when I look at you, this is why I get emotional. I’m sorry. You are a person that is so much more than your race and gender. You are a Christian. You are a mom. You are an intellect. You love books. … It’s hard for me to look at you and not see my mom, not see my cousins, one of whom had to sit behind you. She had to have your back. I see my ancestors and yours. Nobody is going to steal the joy … Nobody is going to steal that joy. You have earned this spot. You are worthy. You are a great American.
But don’t worry, my sister. Don’t worry. God has you. How do I know that? Because you are here, and I know what it has taken for you to sit in that seat.
Written by TMCH. Sources: Holy Bible, RNS, USA Today and transcripts from C-Span, Associated Press and UPI.
1 thought on “New Supreme Court Justice Has One Essential Qualification”
How sad it is that the Republicans cited in this article and many others with the same mindset, prejudices, and ignorance have made attempts to defend their argument of opposition to confirm Hon. Ketanji Brown Jackson as nominee to the Supreme Court. I have viewed portions of each day’s confirmation hearings, and am proud to hear her responses and witness her demeanor when questions and comments were hurled at her. Without outwardly showing sensitivity to questions/comments of rudeness, Judge Jackson displayed wisdom, knowledge with dignity and integrity, consistently responding respectfully.
To verbally express her faith in God before the Senate Judiciary Committee says a lot about her relationship and obedience to God. With realization that God is the foundation of her faith, her character is that of maturity and sincerity as she trusts Him to fight her battles. Judge Jackson anticipate criticism, personal attacks and crucial comments because of her race, gender and professional qualifications. But with her humility and faith in God, she has the assurance that as she meditates on God’s sufficiency, and His divine Will, her strength will be sustained. Our sovereign God is her refuse and she can count on Him and His promised. Judge Jackson has already proven her abilities and capabilities in her current position, and without hesitation, should be confirmed as the Supreme Court nominee., and ultimately appointed to that position.