February 28, 2022
NHMC Calls on Senate to Swiftly Confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
A Statement by Brenda V. Castillo, President & CEO, National Hispanic Media Coalition
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) commends President Joe Biden on his historic nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States. As a woman of color who has fought and advocated for equity in the justice system as a public defender, commissioner, and federal judge, NHMC applauds Judge Brown Jackson’s nomination and urges for a quick confirmation process.
Once confirmed, Judge Brown Jackson will also be the second-youngest justice, and the only justice to have extensive experience representing low-income criminal defendants. As a former public defender and twice graduate of Harvard, NHMC believes Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be a voice for the people, standing for fairness and justice from a perspective of the community. Judge Brown Jackson’s efforts to fight for equal justice and communities of color is apparent given her service as a federal public defender, and throughout her advocacy for sentencing reform as a former Commissioner and Vice-Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission. During her service behind the bench as a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, her rulings are thorough, carefully reasoned, and respectful of precedent.
Judge Brown Jackson represents a new era of representation for the United States, inspiring us all, and bringing us one step closer to equity. As such, last week NHMC also joined dozens of allies in calling on the media to provide fair, unbiased coverage of Judge Brown Jackson, particularly in light of the media’s history of skewed coverage of women and women of color.
This historic moment is now in our hands as consumers, media professionals, community leaders, and elected officials. As the nomination and confirmation processes commence, NHMC calls on the Senate to move swiftly and efficiently to ensure Judge Brown Jackson is confirmed as the first Black woman to sit on our country’s highest judicial bench.
Yours in the Movement,
Brenda Victoria Castillo
President & CEO
National Hispanic Media Coalition
