MLBC, legislators celebrate confirmation of Justice Jackson

Missouri Legislative Black Caucus Chair Ashley Bland Manlove, D-Kansas City, State Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, D-St. Louis, and State Rep. Rasheen Aldridge, D-St. Louis, released the following statements on the historic confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court.

Ashley Bland Manlove:

“Our nation is fortunate to have a woman serving in America’s highest court with her deep and broad knowledge of the law, her decades of experience as a litigator, as well as her strength and resolve amidst heinous attempts to assassinate her character during the confirmation process. In a justice system that all too often disregards the voices of Black women, Justice Jackson’s confirmation further illustrates America’s capacity to live up to its promise and serves as another milestone in the continuing struggle for social equality still waged by so many Black Americans.”

LaKeySha Bosley:

“Justice Jackson is extremely qualified to serve on the Supreme Court and her nomination and confirmation are remarkably historic. With the appointment of Justice Jackson to the Supreme Court, young Black women will see themselves represented in the highest court in the land and know their voices are included in the ever-unfolding story of our nation. They will know that they too — through virtue of their hard work, determination, and indomitable spirit — can reach heights once withheld from them.

“Those qualities are the epitome of what it means to be an American, and Justice Jackson has embodied them throughout the confirmation process. To hear the cracking sound of yet another glass ceiling breaking is music to my ears.”

Rasheen Aldridge:

“Like most Americans, I was beside myself with shock and outrage while watching Justice Jackson endure hour after hour of character assassination from Senators acting in bad faith with political vendettas. However, I rest assured knowing the joy she and so many of her supporters feel today as she ascends to the bench far eclipses the pain she must have endured. Justice Jackson has overcome so many obstacles to inspire so many Black women and girls who can now see themselves represented by someone who occupies the rarified air of the Supreme Court. I am ecstatic to see what she accomplishes moving forward.”