Black Voters Matter co-founders Cliff Albright and LaTosha Brown and legal director April Albright issued this statement following the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as Associate Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court:
“Today’s historic confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson means that, for the first time in the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, a Black woman will finally take the bench. Brown Jackson is, simply put, the most qualified justice the Court has ever seen. Even as Republican senators lobbed racist and nonsensical attacks on her work and credibility during her confirmation hearings, Brown Jackson let her long career in public service, deep legal expertise, and calm temperament speak for themselves. In other words, she did what she was advised to do decades ago and what many Black people have done in the face of racism; she persevered. Now, she joins a long line of remarkable Black women – from Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm to Vice President Kamala Harris – who have broken through barriers to reach the highest levels of government. Congratulations to (soon-to-be) Justice Brown Jackson on this unprecedented achievement.
This confirmation would not have been possible without the addition of two Georgia senators resulting largely from Black voter turnout, which demonstrates the importance of protecting the right to vote. With recent attacks on voting rights, workers’ rights, health care access, and fairness in the legal system, we need a voice like hers to prevent legislatures, corporations, and others from doing even more harm to Black voters, who are disproportionately impacted by these issues. As we celebrate Brown Jackson’s historic confirmation, we look forward to having her authoritative voice brought into these decisions as we continue the fight to build a country that works for all of us.”
