As bullies bear down, Judge Jackson shows great dignity as she perseveres | Opinion

Watching the hearings to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the United States Supreme Court, the thing that stood out to me, even more than her quiet dignity was the unashamed way some of our country’s lawmakers acted toward her. It didn’t seem to matter at all to them that the world was watching as they continued to beat down this most qualified candidate who will be seated on the bench of our nation’s highest court.

It was heartbreaking and shameful to watch. And it brought back many memories of my own journey from there to here.

Don’t get me wrong, what I went through as the first Black female at The Miami Herald is nothing to be compared to what Judge Jackson has had to endure.

Anyway, this is 2022. You would think that people’s minds and hearts would have been changed by now to want to do the right thing. Apparently, that isn’t the way it is with a lot of people at the hearings. While I had my share of bullying, the difference is, I wasn’t being considered for a justice of the United States Supreme Court. I was merely a local, Black female, who had the audacity to want to have equal standing with the white males in the paper’s newsroom.

The world wasn’t watching me, though. Only my colleagues. And I will be forever grateful to those who took a stand in my behalf, when it was so obvious that the only reason that I was being so mistreated was the fact that I am Black. A Black woman, at that.

Many years have passed since those personal trying days. But it seems that not much has changed since those days in the early 1970’s. Even so, I am so proud of the dignity and fortitude Judge Jackson has shown.

I am especially proud of the way she didn’t try to convince others of her devout faith in God. It simply showed in her every word; her every gesture. Her humility, strength, kindness, respectfulness — even to those who saw nothing wrong in disrespecting her and bullying her before the entire world.

That these hearings happened during Woman’s History Month is even more significant. We will never forget. Our young girls will forever know the name Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. They will want to grow up to be like her. They will forever remember the dignified, humble Black woman who knew that meekness is not a sign of weakness. Our young girls will remember the Black woman who was more than qualified for a seat on the bench of the United States Supreme Court. And they will remember with pride. They will know what it means to persevere.

Another thing that impressed me about our future U.S. Supreme Court Judge is the fact that while she is a spiritual person, she didn’t see the need to flaunt her faith. She didn’t snap back about what a “good Christian” woman she is when she was tempted by Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C. Instead, she let her quiet holy boldness speak for her. And it spoke volumes.

To me, Judge Jackson is right up there alongside some other of my “sheroes.” One of them is my mother, the late Ida Belle Johnson, who would have been 103 today. I thought a lot about my mom during the hearings, especially when Sen. Graham was so rude to the future U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

My mom was a no-nonsense woman. When my brother Adam, and I, were little, all our mom had to do was to give us “The Look” when we “acted up” in church or any other public place. I can imagine how she would have acted had she been alive to watch the hearings and to see the foul way our candidate was being treated.

I can imagine Mom walking over to the television, speaking right in Senator Graham’s face, telling him in a stern voice, “… Be quiet and let her answer your question”. She would do that. Then she would ask Sen. Graham, “… where are your manners… I know your momma taught you better than that.” Mom would do that because as a maid and nanny to several white children, she had raised some who are just like Graham, who grew up to put an ugly stain on the Republican party.

I am so thankful that I have been a witness to these history-making hearings. I am even more thankful for Judge Jackson.

To paraphrase what Sen. Cory Brown, D-N.J., said to her, “You deserve to be here, at this place, at this time, and you have made us all so proud…”

7 to be inducted into Booker T. Washington High School Hall of Fame

Earlier this month, seven deserving former athletes at Booker T. Washington High School were inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. The black-tie event is held every two years and is always well attended. It is also a time to get re-acquainted with friends and classmates you haven’t seen in a while.

The 2022 inductees are, Carlton Williams, Sr., class of 1967; Jessie J. Gilbert, class of 1967; Louis “Motel” Holton, class of 1965; Terry L. Jefferson, class of 2015; Alonzo D. Griffin, class of 1963; Allen H. Lee Jr., class of 2002, and Richard “Toby” Gatson, class of 1963.

Miami Oratorio Society to perform at Holy Family Episcopal Church

Classical-music lovers will be happy to know that the Miami Oratorio Society will present its first concert in two years at 5 p.m. on April 10 at Holy Family Episcopal Church, 18501 NW Seventh Ave. The program will feature the “moving and joyous” Brahms Requiem and also the Easter portion of Handel’s Messiah, said spokeswoman Judith Feldman.

The musical group is under the direction of Andrew Anderson. Tickets for the Palm Sunday concert are $25 each in advance ($30 at the door), and may be purchased through the MOS website at www.miamioratorio.org. You may also call 305-610-0500, or 954-882-2242 for more information.