Friends And Family:

We can now put a face and name to the first African American female justice to sit on the United States Supreme Court. May her bold determination, the manifestation of ancestral dreams, and elevated perspective uphold the United States Constitution.

It is time to champion the work of African American women and all women of color. We have nursed and raised your children, cleaned your homes and office buildings, sat at the front of the bus because we were tired, and spoke up when we were expected to be silent. And, now we cradle scales like Lady Justice in one hand, a sword of authority in the other, and a blindfold to cover the eyes from bias and prejudice. 

Defining Moment

We are in a defining moment in American history. We ought to straighten our backs. We have made much progress the last fourteen (14) years which, at one time, was imaginable. The 2008 General Election brought the first African American President of the United States, Barack Obama. The 2020 General Election brought the first African and Asian American and female Vice President, Kamala Harris. And, 2022 brought us the first African American female Associate Justice to the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson.  These acts are living proof that every election is significant. 

America Is Overdue

America is overdue for representation of women in every position of human endeavor and stretch the bounds of our imagination. America is overdue in being brave and throwing off the shackles of fear. America is overdue for an African American woman to sit on the high court. America is overdue for looking at black women in the spirit of the Suffragist Mrs. Sojourner Truth in her eloquent speech, “That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?” 

America will be better because Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson comes with strong stature and moral ethics. She is principled. She will likely outwork anyone on the Supreme Court. She will not give retribution to society based on the historically widespread violence and terror suffered by people of color (because that is an unspoken disquietude and a true elephant). KBJ will fiercely endure misogynistic statements and threats. She will be heavily scrutinized, but not shirk in her duties to uphold the law of the land. She will not weaponize her power and jurisprudence. She will decide from her constitution and The Constitution. 

Therefore, be not afraid of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's presence. For she will shatter glass ceilings for generations. Her presence will show little Black girls and Black boys what is possible, and they will see what they can be. Her presence will be the fulfillment of a promise and actualization from the words of Sociologist and Author Dr. W.E.B. DuBois, "There is no force equal to a woman determined to rise." 

Chief Justice And Defining Moments

The role of Supreme Court Chief Justice is within reach as well. We will not only have a position but real power. We can preside over the entire federal judiciary system. We have the competency, expertise, and able to influence to see it through. 

We ought to ride this wave and replace another associate justice. The current political climate is exposing the potential for this to occur. We can demonstrate power once again. Our decisions do not have to remain split 5-4 and 6-3 conservative leaning.  

Arkansas Can Make History

Arkansas can make history and the 2022 Primary Election is the first step. We have people of color and women running at every level of government. We can send the first African American woman to the United States Senate, the first African American male from the First Congressional District (AR-01), the first woman from the Third Congressional District (AR-03), have our first African American governor, and minorities to state constitutional offices.

We can look to the Reconstruction Era and Civil Rights Movement as the spark which  ignites this revolution. Like the days of yesteryear, Arkansas is a multiracial, multigenerational, and a cross-class group of great people. When black, brown, yellow, red, and whites vote in seismic numbers, we change systems. We shift paradigms. We reshape the nation and our magnitude grows. Let this celebratory moment be propped up against the Primary Election on May 24 and last through November 8 and beyond. Let's take Central Arkansas Onward, Forward, Upward, and Outward!

Note: If elected, Dr. Quintessa Hathaway will break a glass ceiling for the state of Arkansas as the first person of color and African American woman to ever win a congressional seat from the state of Arkansas.