Diversity is a theme that has echoed throughout the Biden Administration.  With around 90% of Black voters favoring Biden in the 2020 Presidential election, according to Vox, one mission was apparent: the government should look like those whom it represents.  With Justice Stephen Breyer stepping down from his court position, Ketanji Brown Jackson was a  clear choice  for the nomination  to be a Supreme Court Justice.  Jackson was confirmed by the Senate on April 7, making her the first Black female Supreme Court Justice.

“Someone with extraordinary character, who will bring to the Supreme Court an independent mind, uncompromising integrity, and with a strong moral compass and the courage to stand up for what she thinks is right,” said President Biden in a speech on Jackson’s character. 

Growing up with parents who had firsthand experience with the effects of racism and segregation had a major impact on Jackson’s growth.  She attended Harvard University, served as a public defender, worked at a private law firm, and was appointed as a member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission before entering the court system.  

“The extraordinary effort Jackson has put into obtaining what her parents could only hope for reflects her pride and courageous efforts to defy the narrative of what some close minded people think about African Americans,” said freshman Spencer Cohen.

In the 241 years of the Supreme Court’s existence, 115 people have served as justices, none of whom had ever been a Black woman.  

“For too long, our government, our courts haven’t looked like America,” said President Biden.  

With public trust in the government reportedly hitting an all-time low of 24% in early 2021 according to the Pew Research Center, the Biden Administration has worked to increase equality and meet the demands of the American people. 

The last two Supreme Court confirmations have faced fierce resistance.  In majority partisan voting, Amy Coney Barret and Ketanji Brown Jackson received 52-48 and 53-47 confirmation votes, respectively, for their appointments to the Supreme Court.  Jackson’s nomination is a fulfillment of President Biden’s pledge during the 2020 campaign to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court.  

“I’m happy to know that we are seeing advances in the government,” said freshman Katie Germana.

A display of emotion by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, showcasing the importance of this historical event.  

“I’m not letting anybody steal my joy.  You got here how every Black woman in America has gotten anywhere has done it.  You have earned this spot.  You are worthy.  You are a great American,” said Booker, during Brown’s confirmation hearing.  

Although she received many positive voices of approval, Jackson was faced with frequent lines of questioning from GOP leaders, regarding racism, feminism, and religion (specifically, whether or not she believed babies were racist, her definition of a woman, and her faith in religion from “1 to 10”).

Jackson’s sentencing records, particularly relating to child-pornography offenders, were critiqued throughout the confirmation hearings, as some say she brings too much “empathy” to the law.  

Jackson has  raised two daughters, Talia, 21 and Leila, 17, with her husband Patrick.  Both were raised as Jackson began a job at a new law firm, sometimes making it difficult for Jackson to balance her home and work lives.

“I hope that you have seen that with hard work, determination, and love, it can be done,” said Jackson during her confirmation hearing.

“Ms. Jackson’s achievements as a Black woman are incredible to say the least, but it is important to look deeper, to acknowledge the might of such a strong individual, unrelated to her status as a minority,” said freshman Forest Stulbaum.  

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s appointment to the Supreme Court is a monumental event in the history of United States history, providing a crowning victory for the Biden administration.