KETANJI BROWN JACKSON LIKES AMERICA-
“The fact that we had come that far,” she said, “was, to me, a testament to the hope and the promise of this country, the greatness of America, that in one generation—one generation—we could go from racially segregated schools in Florida, to have me sitting here as the first Floridian ever to be nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States.”
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson faced hours of questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, and she held up fine, though Supreme Court confirmation hearings are now akin to the Circumlocution Olympics. We’d still like to hear her speak candidly about how she thinks judges ought to interpret the Constitution.
But it was heartening to hear Judge Jackson affirm the promise of America. Too many on the left seem to think the U.S. is structurally, irredeemably flawed. President Biden has joined this narrative with his focus on “systemic racism” and “equity” in place of “equality.” Judge Jackson might or might not agree with the ideal of colorblindness, to say nothing of her views on specific controversies like the one involving Harvard’s admissions policies.
Yet she appears to see the best in America. Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley asked Judge Jackson about a speech she had given quoting Martin Luther King, Jr. In reply, Judge Jackson said her address had described how “my parents, when they were growing up in Miami, Florida, attended—and had to attend—racially segregated schools.” What she experienced after being born in 1970 was totally different.
“The fact that we had come that far,” she said, “was, to me, a testament to the hope and the promise of this country, the greatness of America, that in one generation—one generation—we could go from racially segregated schools in Florida, to have me sitting here as the first Floridian ever to be nominated to the Supreme Court of the United States.”
This has been a theme for Judge Jackson in the short time that the public has been getting to know her. “Among my many blessings—and indeed, the very first—is the fact that I was born in this great country,” she said last month at the White House, when Mr. Biden nominated her. “The United States of America is the greatest beacon of hope and democracy the world has ever known.”
We expect to disagree with Judge Jackson if she is confirmed to the Supreme Court. But the progressives supporting her nomination could stand to learn from her about the country that has elevated her to such judicial heights.
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