A BLACK SUPREME COURT JUSTICE?

90-year-old Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has alerted the White House he is strongly considering stepping down from the bench, which would give President Obama his 2nd nomination to the nation’s highest court in his young presidency.  But with a flurry of names already swirling around to possibly fill the post, who should the replacement be?  We say, how about a black man?

Back in 1991, Thurgood Marshall was the first and only African-American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.  Upon his retirement that same year (and his eventual death soon thereafter), then President George H.W. Bush (the 1st) was strongly lobbied to replace Marshall with another African-American.  Succumbing to the pressure, but with a twist, Bush selected Clarence Thomas to fill the esteemed vacancy that Justice Marshall left. Although Thomas was born a black man and took full advantage of available programs such as affirmative action, minority grants and scholarships, etc. in order to elevate HIMSELF to the position he now holds, he has not been a champion or true representative for African-Americans.  In fact, for as much as he has turned his back on the community, were it not for his skin color, you may not even know he was black. Thomas has now denounced affirmative action and various other programs that HE HIMSELF utilized when it was convenient for HIM.  For all those who either support or oppose such programs, it’s hard not to see the hypocrisy in Thomas’ new found beliefs and actions.

Today’s Supreme Court is fully represented by both liberals and conservatives.  There are women, a Jewish Justice, and now even a Latina with the recent addition of Justice Sonia Sotomayor.  So what’s missing?  TRUE representation for African-Americans.  With representation by at least two of just about every group, black men are underrepresented.

George H.W. Bush failed to honor the first African-American Justice Thurgood Marshall when he failed to replace him with a suitable placeholder.  As the first African-American President, Barack Obama finally has the opportunity to right that wrong.  It’s kismet.  With a host of brilliant African-American legal minds and judges out there looking for their shot, this is the perfect time to give a black man a chance. Take a look at current Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, or recent Chairman of the NAACP Julian Bond.  Surely there are capable black men out there who would serve their community and the Supreme Court well.  I sure hope the White House is listening!