Early Life

Ketanji Brown Jackson was born Ketanji Onyika Brown on September 14, 1970 in Washington DC. Though she was born in DC, she did not live there. In fact, Jackson went to school in Miami. She excelled all through school and applied to Harvard in 1988. By 1993, she went into Harvard Law and Jackson graduated in three years. It seems as though she was following in her father’s footsteps since Mr. Johnny Brown had gone to law school when Jackson was young.

While she was an undergrad at Harvard, she met a man named Patrick Graves Jackson. By 1996, the two were married. Currently they have two daughters, Talia and Leila Jackson.

Jackson’s Role in the Judicial System

In the beginning of her career, Jackson worked as a law clerk for several judges which included Patti Saris and Bruce Marshall Selya. 2012 was the year where she was nominated by the then president Barack Obama to be a part of the District Court in Washington DC. From 2013 until 2021, Jackson worked as a judge in DC.

Recently, Jackson is back in the spotlight. This time, she was nominated by President Biden to join the Supreme Court.

Ketanji Brown Jackson: Is She Right for the Court?

Videos of Jackson’s confirmation hearings have been going around social media as of late. Many are outraged due to the nature of the questions Jackson has been receiving. At one point in the hearing, she is accused of being “soft on crime” which Jackson declares that that assumption isn’t true. The former clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas, Saikrishma Prakash says, “I think the Republicans are trying to use the meme of Democrats being soft on crime…” She later elaborates, saying that she believes that Republicans and Democrats alike are using this questioning in order to propel their political careers instead of trying to see if Jackson is a good fit for the Supreme Court.

New Jersey Senator, Cory Booker, was troubled by how Jackson was being treated. He says, “I got a chance to witness firsthand…when you show up in a room qualified…with extraordinary expertise…you are going to be treated in a way that does not respect you fully.” Like many others, Booker believes that Jackson is a perfect fit for the Supreme Court. When it’s finally his turn to question her, he starts off with a monologue where Jackson is moved to tears.

Ketanji Brown Jackson: The Newest Supreme Court Justice

It was decided on March 28th, 2022 that Ketanji Brown Jackson will be joining the Supreme Court. Jackson is the first black woman to serve in the court. Because of her accomplishment, she will serve as a role model for millions of people everywhere.