Is Kagan qualified? Absolutely. From the moment that President Obama was elected expectations for equity and fairness were elevated. Black women are in a difficult position. If Elana Kagan is confirmed she will be only the fourth woman. As women we must celebrate her nomination as a victory for women. It opens the door just a bit wider and strengthens the viability of a future Black woman nominee. What is difficult is finding a way to express disappointment without appearing narrow, selfish or single-minded. It is disturbing to think that there was not even one Black woman qualified to be considered for appointment. On the one hand we hate to see any accomplished candidate used to placate a constituency and on the other hand we wonder why it is always Black women that must not only wait but we must wait quietly.
Why Not A Sister?
The entire Obama Administration must share a unique and profound appreciation for the full significance -symbolic and substantive- of the election of President Obama. There is no denying the powerful impact that emanates from the fact that he is the FIRST African American elected to the presidency.
As a woman I applaud the nomination of Elana Kagan, as a Black woman my enthusiasm is tempered by impatience as I await the nomination of the first Black woman to the Supreme Court. I don't think that it is possible for any man to fully appreciate the space that Black women occupy at the intersection of race and gender in America. It always looks ugly when we assert our own interests. All women expect and enjoy our support and we are also staunch supporters of Black men, especially President Obama. Sadly our support is taken for granted and we are routinely admonished that we should not even express our disappointment.
When it comes to cabinet posts--we were excluded. This does not mean that we don't love Valerie, Lisa, Susan, and Regina, or that we missed the fact that EPA & UN were elevated. Make no mistake, we found Sonja's story compelling, we appreciate Janet, Hilda, Kathleen and many of us are long-time supporters of Hillary. We know better than anyone how difficult it would be to nominate or confirm a sister to the highest court in the land. We live the impossibility but we hope for change. We know that our assent to the highest court will bring about deep and lasting change for our nation and the world so we must strive for the day when appointments will be made based on qualifications alone. This day will only arrive AFTER the appointment of a Black woman to the nation's highest court, therefore, we are compelled to weigh in on our own behalf.
All that we ask is Why Not A Black Woman? This question should not detract from the nomination and confirmation of Elana Kagan. Black women have power and we have the right to work in our own interest. We are qualified. We have a contribution to make to the Court and hopefully the next seat on the Supreme Court will be ours.
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