"Dissents speak to a future age. It's not simply to say, 'My colleagues are wrong and I would do it this way.' But the greatest dissents do become court opinions and gradually over time their views become the dominant view. So that's the dissenter's hope: that they are writing not for today, but for tomorrow."
- Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020)
As many have noted, Jewish tradition holds that a person who dies on the eve of Rosh Hashana is a “tzaddik”, a righteous person. Justice Ginsburg was indeed a righteous person, and a hero for millions of Americans, from all walks of life. She dedicated her life to hard work and hard decisions, whether she was writing impassioned dissents or speaking up as the only woman in the room. She used her power and influence as an attorney, scholar, advocate, and Associate Justice to fight for equality. Her presence on our nation’s highest court will be dearly missed.
Justice Ginsburg not only fought for the right causes but did so brilliantly. Widely recognized as one of the top students of her graduating class at Columbia Law School, she led the fight to break down barriers preventing women from advancing in the legal profession. Her judicial opinions reflected her bedrock belief that America could only live up to its promise if it treated all of its citizens as equal before the law. Much work remains to be done, but Justice Ginsburg passed from this world with the knowledge that she left a big mark and even bigger shoes to fill. We are inspired by Justice Ginsburg’s life and work, and proud to call her a fellow Brooklynite.
Many of us likely feel helpless, lost and really, really tired from everything going on in our country and in the world. But just as Justice Ginsburg held on throughout numerous difficult moments in her life, and fought for others even when she seemed to be the only person who cared, we too must continue this work and press on for justice, for democracy, and for the welfare of generations to come. If we want to leave this country in a better place than we found it in, we need everyone to do their part. There are so many ways to pitch in: we can get on the phones, call neighbors and family members to have tough conversations, protect the vote in battleground states, and vote President Trump out of office.
Finally, we must respect Justice Ginsburg’s last wishes and speak up at a time when our voices are being silenced. We cannot allow this president to insult her legacy by selecting a justice he promises will undermine, upend, and unravel our hard-won civil and human rights for generations. Under no circumstances should the Senate consider a replacement for Justice Ginsburg until after the inauguration of the next president. We call upon Democrats in both chambers of Congress to use all means at their disposal to prevent a new Justice from being confirmed before January 20, 2021.
Christina Das, Juris Doctor President
Brooklyn Young Democrats
Julia Elmaleh-Sachs, Esquire Executive VP
Brooklyn Young Democrats
The second meeting of BYD's Policy Committee will take place on Tuesday, September 29 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. If you are interested in joining the Policy Committee, please email DeShaun Mars at [email protected]
