PRO ACB

by Brennen Kerns

Amy Coney Barrett (ACB). You've already heard some rambling about her status as the nominee for the new Justice of the Supreme Court. Barrett is a highly competent judge from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, which she was appointed to May 8, 2018. 

Now, imagine a female judge who consistently rebelled against social norms imposed on women and whose legal mind was tied with her faith. No, I'm not talking about Judge Barrett, I'm talking about her predecessor, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. During her time behind the bench, Ginsburg fervently agreed conventional expectations upon women could not impede on their pursuit for a full and equal share in life, nor was she shy about how her Jewish faith influenced her judicial mind.  

In an essay for the American Jewish Committee published in 1993, she wrote, “Laws as protectors of the oppressed, the poor, the loner, is evident in the work of my Jewish predecessors.” By this criteria, ACB makes for an amazing Justice, just like her predecessor was. ACB is the best pick for the Supreme Court nomination.

Barrett has defied odds to get where she is. She is one to help fight for equal rights among men and women. Her faith has influenced who she is as a judge, and she will do her job for the people and with integrity. Barrett will reign as an Originalist, which means she interprets the Constitution as it was written. This is very important because many feel the Constitution should change and evolve with society, but this leads to rights being infringed upon. 

When graduating law school, where she guarded the spot of number one in her class on a full academic scholarship. Barrett, after graduating, served two years as a judicial clerk: in 1997-1998 with Judge Laurence Silberman in the U.S. Appeals Court D.C. Circuit and for Justice Antonin Scalia From 1998 to 1999. Barrett then practiced law at Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin, a Washington, D.C. law firm until 2002. During her time there, she worked aiding the firm on the Bush v. Gore case during the 2000 election. 

ACB is also a mother of seven, including one biological child with intellectual disabilities and two adopted from Haiti. She is a committed Roman Catholic and one of her generation's best legal brains. John Garvey, president of the Catholic University of America and former professor of law at Notre Dame, described her in his endorsement as, “the best student I have ever had," when he recommended her as a clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia. 

Despite your feelings on her political views, we can all agree she is one amazing person, with extreme intelligence and a caring nature. She is more than qualified and frankly deserves the seat on the Supreme Court.