NCBL STATEMENT - MARCH 25, 2022
JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON
National Conference of Black Lawyers
2472 Broadway #204
New York, NY 10025
NatlConfBlackLawyers@gmail.com
THE NOMINATION OF JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON TO SERVE ON THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
MARCH 25, 2022
The National Conference of Black Lawyers (NCBL) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 volunteer-driven legal advocacy organization established in 1968 as a bar association to support progressive Black lawyers. NCBL’s mission is:
"To protect human rights, to achieve self-determination of Africa and African Communities and to work in coalition to assist in ending the oppression of all peoples."
NCBL’s membership consists of judges, law students, lawyers, legal activists, legal workers, and scholars who provide a rich diversity of experiences and leadership.
During his campaign for the presidency, President Biden promised that if a vacancy opened on the Supreme Court, he would nominate a Black woman to fill it.
On February 25, 2022, in response to the retirement of Justice Breyer, President Biden announced his nominee for U.S. Supreme Court is Ketanji Brown-Jackson, who currently serves on the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. If confirmed, Judge Jackson’s nomination would be historic as she would be the first Black woman to serve on the United State's highest court in its more than 200-year history.
NCBL has reviewed Judge Jackson’s biographical and legal backgrounds and select court decisions (click on the Download link, below).
Contrary to her critics who have questioned her qualifications to serve on the Supreme Court, NCBL believes that Judge Jackson is eminently qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. Judge Jackson attended Harvard University for both college and law school, graduating with high honors. Judge Jackson has a breadth of legal experience that spans private practice, public policy work as a member and subsequently vice-chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, and service as a federal district court and appellate court judge. In addition, she would also be the first former public defender to serve on the Court.
Judge Jackson’s nomination is being supported by several Black women and Black women-led organizations, including the National Council of Negro Women, NAACP LDF, The National Council of Black Civic Participation, The Links, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., of which Jackson Brown is a member, and Dr. Bernice King. Judge Jackson is also receiving support from some prominent Republicans such as the former Court of Appeals for the D.C. Cir. Judge Thomas R. Griffith, was appointed by President George W. Bush.
Notwithstanding the widespread support that Judge Jackson has received, as the legal arm of the Black Liberation Movement, NCBL is compelled to consider Judge Jackson’s nomination in the context of what our communities need from a Black Supreme Court Justice in these critical times.
We need a Justice who will interpret the Constitution in ways that uplift and support civil and human rights.
With the current attacks on Critical Race Theory and the 1619 Project, we want a Justice who will bring her whole Black self to the Court, and acknowledge the historic and current realities of anti-Black racism in this country.
We need a Justice who supports women’s right to choose and the rights of LGBTQ individuals.
We want a Justice who knows that immigration is a human right and racial justice issue.
We want a Justice that understands the impact of economic disparities in this country and has the capacity to see the reality of working-class and impoverished people.
Additionally, we need a Justice who will hold the line of her convictions in dissent instead of compromising with the majority in the name of civility.
We expect a Justice who won't give up on her position in support of human rights, fairness, and justice because her opinion is in the minority. A well-written and reasoned dissent today can become the life-blood of transformative future decisions.
As we watch the testimony during these confirmation hearings, we are learning more about whether Judge Jackson is that Justice. If so, we will welcome her confirmation. If not, we will not be afraid to demand the appointment of a Black woman who is ready to do the needed work ahead.
Jackson sworn in, becomes 1st Black woman on Supreme Court
AP THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2022
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