Overqualified is an Understatement

Issue #44

We should be basking in and celebrating the the history-making of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s inevitable ascension to the highest court of the land. It is inspiring to witness the brilliance and excellence of someone so qualified for the role of U.S. Supreme Court Justice. 

But I have to be completely honest – the process was and continues to be incredibly triggering for me. I’m not alone. Indeed, many friends told me they couldn’t watch the nomination hearings at all. It’s the wrenching anticipation of knowing she would not just be undertaking a job interview but an attack on her identity. Wrenching anticipation born out by belittling and baseless attacks. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), referencing a children’s book about racism, asked Judge Jackson whether she thinks “babies are racist,” helpfully holding up the book in question for all to see. Before responding, the Judge let out a huge sigh. As the former head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund put it, “The sigh. The pause. The double blink. The angle of the head. Volumes spoken before giving the answer…We understand.”

And then there was Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), who started his line of questioning by calling Jackson “articulate.” The term is “often used as a compliment but seen by some in the Black community as an insulting trope.” Here’s some historical context on why members of the Black community don’t appreciate the term.

Notwithstanding the sexism and racism on display by some in the U.S. Senate, Ketanji Brown Jackson raised the bar for what should be expected of Supreme Court Justices as a whole. None of the confirmed Justices compare in the breath of their experience.

I am beyond excited to witness history being made, but let’s be clear: the level of excellence a woman of color has to possess in order to be considered for this role is unfair in comparison to others. The last two Justices nominated to the Court come to mind. Amy Coney Barrett, with her underwhelming resume in comparison to others. She certainly wasn’t facing allegations of sexual assault, as two of the nine Justices have during their confirmation hearings.

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is accomplished and more than qualified, able to remain calm and collected in the hot seat and handles tough questions with ease. I look forward to her confirmation and becoming our newest Supreme Court Justice.  

And so, perhaps it is best to put to the side the triggered feelings from the circus of the nomination hearings and focus instead on some of the uplifting highlights: her former college roommate and close friend introducing her, the way she inspires our next generation with a story about her time at Harvard College, and the way in which Senator Cory Booker said despite all the noise, he would not let anyone steal his joy from this historic moment.

Onward KBJ! 

Marissa Matusiak
Founder, Raise Black Voices