Good afternoon, Chaverim/Chaverot,
It is not always obvious to us when we are living through a time that will one day be deemed by some future record keeper as “history”. But, I don’t think that any of us can deny that, for better or for worse, our lives are unfolding in a period of time that will inevitably be seen as “historic”.
The quote I want to share with you today is from the end of an article by Dan Rather, a chronicler of our times. Mr. Rather notes, as many have, that history was made yesterday with the Senate’s confirmation of the Honorable Ketanji Brown Jackson as our next Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America…”a justice unlike any other in our nation’s history”.
Here is today’s Gratitude Thought in the Midst of a Pandemic:
“Her presence itself will not fix the myriad problems we face; our challenges defy easy answers or simple remedies. But Justice Jackson personifies the hope that change is possible, that progress can be our path going forward. We celebrate her today as a unique legal mind and as someone whose service to this nation and its best traditions can give us a reason for new flickers of optimism. If she hasn’t given up on what America can be, then neither should we.”
Dan Rather
I am keenly aware that many Americans will experience yesterday as an historically “bad” day, but I cannot help but be swept up by the sheer joy of our black sisters and brothers who know in their very bones that yesterday’s news was very, very “good” news for all who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented in our country’s halls of power and for America itself.
And, I am so grateful for this very “good” news and for the hope and “flickers of optimism” that it inspires in these otherwise very difficult days. Justice Jackson persevered and so must we.
Shabbat Shalom to all,
Marci
