Black History

Confirmation Hearings Begin for First Black Woman Supreme Court Nominee

The first day of hearings featured opening statements from the 22 members of the Judiciary Committee and opening remarks from Jackson. Democratic Senator Corey Booker noted the historic nature of Jackson’s nomination. “This is a ‘Jackie Robinson’ moment for our nation,” he said during prepared remarks. “For generations, America has been blessed with extraordinary legal talent in people of all backgrounds, but for the first time in our history an extraordinarily talented Black woman will serve on the Supreme Court. I’m profoundly moved by this. My heart aches with joy.”

Published

4 years ago

March 31, 2022

Oakland Post

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, 52, currently serves as a federal judge in Washington, D.C. She will be the first Black woman ever to sit on the Supreme Court upon confirmation.

By Brandon Patterson

Confirmation hearings began last Tuesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee for Biden Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. The hearings marked the fourth time that Jackson had come before the Judiciary Committee for confirmation, having done so three times previously when nominated for lower judiciary positions.

Jackson, 52, currently serves as a federal judge in Washington, D.C. She will be the first Black woman ever to sit on the Supreme Court upon confirmation.

Jackson was introduced by Thomas Griffith, a former conservative appeals judge, a decision likely made to underscore her willingness to be “impartial” in her decision-making, a theme which Jackson returned to throughout the hearings. In her opening remarks, she honored the role her family and mentors have played in supporting her judicial career. She also thanked Justice Stephen Breyer, whom she is nominated to replace, and whom she clerked for early in her career after law school.

Yet the first two days of the hearings were marked more by political theater than by serious questions about decisions Jackson made as a judge, or how she might rule in certain cases.

In one instance, Republican Senator Ted Cruz asked Jackson about the New York Times’ 1619 Project and her views on critical race theory.

“It doesn’t come up in my work as a judge. It’s never something that I’ve studied or relied on,” Jackson replied. “And it wouldn’t be something that I would rely on if I was on the Supreme Court.” Cruz later held up a copy of a book called “Antiracist Baby” and asked Jackson whether she believes that “babies are racist.” Jackson said she did not.

Jackson was also asked whether she supported expanding the Supreme Court beyond nine justices. She declined to say, citing then-Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, who, during her confirmation hearing in October 2020, declined to answer the same question. “I agree with Justice Barrett in her response to that question when she was asked before this committee,” Jackson said. “Judges should not be speaking into political issues.”

Yet other questions shed meaningful light on Jackson’s approach to the law. In response to one question, Jackson said she was “reluctant” to use labels such as “originalism” to characterize her judicial philosophy, saying that the Constitution is “fixed in its meaning” but that sometimes, judges also need to look at history and context to make decisions.

A recent Gallup poll found that 58% of Americans support Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Jackson’s confirmation hearings continued throughout the week.

Sources: NBC News, Gallup News, office of New Jersey Senator Corey Booker.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of May 6 – 12, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of may 6 – 12, 2026

Published

3 days ago

May 10, 2026

Oakland Post

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Activism

On the Frontlines of Hate: NAACP Links Victims to Critical Support

The NAACP CA/HI has a long and well-established record of supporting victims of discrimination and hate crimes — providing critical referrals and, when necessary, direct assistance through legal advocacy and other forms of support. Beyond responding to incidents, the organization continues to advocate on broader civil rights issues, including voting rights and legal protections. It has also worked to counter efforts at the state and federal levels that could weaken the voting power of communities of color.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 1, 2026

Oakland Post

NAACP members at a recent advocacy day in Sacramento urging lawmakers to protect voting rights. Photo courtesy of California Black Media.

By Joe Kocurek
California Black Media

The California/Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP (CA/HI NAACP) has expanded its efforts to respond to rising hate incidents and civil rights complaints across California, supported in part by funding from California’s Stop the Hate Program

Through that grant, NAACP CA/HI has strengthened its ability to connect individuals experiencing hate or discrimination with critical resources. This includes referring those who file complaints to the CA vs Hate hotline, a statewide, non-emergency hate crime and incident reporting hotline and online portal created to help counter a more than 50% increase in reported hate crimes in California between 2020 and 2024. The system helps ensure incidents are documented, and victims are guided toward appropriate support.

LaJuana Bivens says the work of NAACP is as urgent as ever. Photo by Regina Wilson, California Black Media.

LaJuana Bivens, who has served in a number of roles within the NAACP, said California has seen an increase in civil rights violations and hate-related incidents.

“We have 52 branches, and they are constantly receiving complaints,” she said. “So, without the Stop the Hate, we would not be able to refer those cases up to attorneys at the state level. A lot of the people would not have had an opportunity to be heard.”

Carmen-Nicole Cox helps survivors of hate with their legal options. Photo courtesy of Carmen-Nicole Cox.

Carmen-Nicole Cox, an attorney who works with NAACP CA/HI – as a part of California’s Stop the Hate Program – provides legal consultation to victims of hate incidents and discrimination through her legal practice, the Cox Firm for Law and Policy.

She said the complaints she receives span a wide range of issues.

“People are having home builders and landlords refusing to provide repairs, a student was denied promotion in an academic program, and targeted scrutiny at work,” she said. “It’s typically employment; it’s housing; it’s education.

“We’ll meet and they’ll share their experiences,” she said. “And then I make assessments about possible legal claims.”

According to the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), nearly 1,200 reports of hate against minority groups were submitted in 2024 through the CA vs Hate hotline and online portal for non-emergency incidents.

While the California/Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP, which has tens of thousands of members, does not directly investigate hate incidents or crimes, it plays a key role in connecting victims to the state’s reporting systems and support services.

Beyond responding to incidents, the organization continues to advocate on broader civil rights issues, including voting rights and legal protections. It has also worked to counter efforts at the state and federal levels that could weaken the voting power of communities of color.

Bivens recently traveled to Sacramento to speak with state lawmakers about voting rights during an advocacy day event hosted by the organization.

“It’s just so hard for communities of color to be up to date because of all of the confusing information coming from the federal level,” she said. “I love our great state of California because here it is possible to vote by mail and to vote early.

“And I’m seeing that trying to be eroded. So, I’m here to urge continued support for vote by mail and early voting.”

When Texas moved to redraw congressional districts in ways critics said would dilute minority voting strength, NAACP CA/HI supported the passage of Proposition 50 in California. The organization also intervened in United States v. Shirley Weber, where federal officials sought access to unredacted California voter records, including Social Security numbers, raising concerns about misuse and voter intimidation.

Cultivating the advocacy and leaderships of young people is central to NAACP’s mission to fight racism and dismantle inequality. Photo courtesy of California Black Media.

A federal district court dismissed that case in January 2026.

The organization’s current work builds on a long history of civil rights advocacy. Today, Bivens says, the organization’s mission remains as urgent as ever.

“We are the oldest, boldest, most feared Civil Rights organization,” Bivens said. “What we do every day is fight for better housing, education, economic development and political inclusion. We take it on because there are just so many people who need that support.

“You would be amazed that our phones ring every single day.”

Get Support After Hate:

California vs Hate is a non-emergency, multilingual hotline and online portal offering confidential support for hate crimes and incidents. Victims and witnesses can get help anonymously by calling 833-8-NO-HATE (833-866-4283), Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. PT, or online at any time. Anonymous. Confidential. No Police. No ICE.

This story was produced in partnership with CA vs Hate. Join them for the first-ever CA Civil Rights Summit on May 11. More information at www.cavshate.org/summit.

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