14 Feb An Open Letter to President Biden regarding the Supreme Court Nominee
February 9, 2022
President Joseph Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Biden,
As you seek a new Supreme Court Justice, the members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) write to urge your support for a jurist who believes in the efficacies of the Civil Rights Movement. While we commend your commitment to appointing a Black Woman, there are some serious concerns that we want to bring to your attention regarding suggested candidates.
African American female jurist exists along a multitude of political spectrums, some of which include ideals abhorrent to the men and women of all races who fought for equal rights in the United States of America. We need an African American female jurist committed to social justice and equality under the law. A Supreme Court Justice nominee should possess a record that demonstrates the requisite understanding of our turbulent past, vestiges remaining in the present, and the appropriate legal solutions.
A few examples of the issues the SCLC find salient to our current directives and fairness to all Americans in oppressed circumstances
1. Racial Discrimination is on the rise. In the 50 plus years since Dr. King created the Poor People’s campaign, the plight of African Americans has not improved and in many areas is worse than in 1968. In the past year alone, the SCLC has been fighting in Cleveland to ensure that Sherwin Williams uses Black contractors to construct its $1billion facility. Additionally, we have been fighting back against the onslaught of anti-affirmative action lawsuits.
2. Voting Rights – over the past decade, SCLC has been issuing a siren call on the diminishing of voting protections due to the failure to continue oversight of the southern states.
3. Incarceration of impoverished and minority citizens without due process
In short, we do not need representation on the Supreme Court that does not reflect the needs of the people. To quote Dr. King, we need someone committed to “bending the arc of history toward justice.”
Sincerely,
Dr. Charles Steele, Jr. Dr. Bernard Lafayette
President and CEO Chairman of the Board
Charles I. Brooks, Esq. Kevin B. Kimble, Esq.
General Counsel DC Bureau Chief
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