New history was recorded in the United States. Ketanji Brown Jackson has just been elected as the first black female Supreme Court Justice in the United States (US) on Thursday (7/4) local time. This is a historic and proud moment for the US.
But unfortunately, apart from these emotional and happy moments, several Republican MPs took action to walk out, aka leave the meeting and leave the room. This is clear evidence that patriarchy and racism are still very strong in the land of Uncle Sam.
"Cheers and applause among Democrats... Republicans walked out in a huff, leaving only Mitt Romney standing to applaud. What a sight," wrote US TV host Joy Ann Reid via his Twitter account, @JoyAnnReid.
In the video that Reid uploaded, many people in the meeting room gave Jackson a standing ovation for his achievement. But then the camera caught some Republican MPs walking out of the room.
Ketanji Brown Jackson has been elected as the first black woman to serve as the 116th United States Supreme Court Justice. He was confirmed by the American Senate by voting 53-47. Jackson's election was read directly by the US Vice President, Kamala Haris.
US President Joe Biden himself said during the 2020 presidential campaign that he was committed to running a black woman on the Supreme Court if elected. And that promise has now been fulfilled.
Through his Twitter account, Biden shared a photo with Jackson at the White House. He wrote, "The election of Judge Jackson is a historic moment for our nation. We have taken another step to make our supreme court reflect America's diversity. He will be an extraordinary figure of justice, and I am honored to share this moment with him."
Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer called this historic moment an exciting, important and innovative day. Because, the election of Jackson as Supreme Court Justice managed to end the majority of white men on the US Supreme Court for 223 years.
"In the 233-year history of the Supreme Court, there has never, never been a black woman held the role of Supreme Court Justice. Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first and I believe many more are to come," she said, quoted by CNN.
When his election was announced, Jackson looked emotional and wiped his tears.
"My parents grew up in a time where black children and white children in this country were not allowed to go to school together. They taught me to work hard. They taught me perseverance. They taught me that anything is possible. in this great country," Jackson said, quoted by CNN.
Ketanji Brown Jackson's Profile
Reporting from Al Jazeera, Jackson was born in Washington, DC in 1970 and raised in Miami, Florida. His father worked as a teacher and later a school board lawyer, and his mother was a school principal. Jackson said he first started thinking about a career in law as a child when his father returned to law school.
In high school, he participated in speech and debate competitions, including several held at Harvard University. He eventually graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College, before graduating cum laude in 1996 from Harvard Law School, where he also served as superintendent editor of the Harvard Law Review.
After graduating from law school, Jackson served as a clerk for Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. Now, he will replace Breyer, who according to Jackson is an extraordinary boss and mentor.
Jackson vowed to be an independent judge who would seek to ensure that justice is a reality, not an ideal.
"I have been inspired by Judge Constance Baker Motley, who was the first black woman to be appointed to the federal bench. She was a civil rights attorney before she became a judge. It means a lot to me in my career to have her as an inspiration and I look forward to it." be an inspiration to other young people," said Jackson.