The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence condemns the racist and sexist questioning and disrespectful behavior that marred the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, a nominee who is eminently qualified for the United States Supreme Court. Behavior of this form occurring in institutions and from leaders of our country upholds the very clear message – a Black woman can work hard, excel, and be the best in her field, but she will still be disrespected and her worth and character questioned.
Senators asked Judge Jackson a number of racist questions that have not in the past been asked of white nominees, including:
Questions about her personal beliefs related to critical race theory, attacks against which are used as a proxy to challenge any assertions that racism continues to exist in the United States.
A question misrepresenting the content of a children’s book: ‘“Do you agree . . . that babies are racist?”
Questions implying that she has a “hidden agenda” to remake the United States legal system to impose lesser sentences on people of color than on white people.
A question minimizing the very real existence and harm of white privilege, describing it as “so-called white privilege.”
Statements implying that tough but fair questions would be called “racist.”
Moreover, some senators acted inappropriately and disrespectfully towards Judge Jackson through disruptions, theatrics, unsupported political grievances, and social media posts that had nothing to do with her qualifications or judicial temperament.
Not only was this an oppressive and disrespectful way to treat a nominee who is a role model for so many, it sent a terrible message to and has had a painful impact on the Black community, particularly Black women and girls who were watching. Many are survivors of gender-based violence needing a response from their government that respects, supports, and protects them. The racist and sexist rhetoric present during the hearings is incredibly harmful and unacceptable and must be interrupted as we all go forward to dismantle oppression and white supremacy and its harmful effects on victims, survivors, colleagues, and public policy.
For more information, please contact Terri Poore at terri@endsexualviolence.org, Monica McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@nnedv.org, or Rachel Graber at rgraber@ncadv.org.