Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Legacy

This is an amazing piece which discusses about the legacy of Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg (RBG). RBG was the second woman ever to be appointed to the United States Supreme Court. She was pivotal in paving the way for equality of women before law. She was also important in making women's rights a serious issue of discussion in the courts and the society. In the 1970s, she persuaded an all-male bench to apply the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause to sex-based discrimination. In another famous case, United States v. Virginia, Justice Ginsburg wrote for a 7-to-1 majority which held unconstitutional the Virginia Military Institute’s policy of refusing to admit women.

The authors then discuss how the court is currently in a state of crisis, where senate Republicans, want to fill in the position of RBG to solidify their control of the third branch of government; during an election year; a move which they strongly opposed during Obama Era. This is primarily because with another Trump appointee, Supreme Court could stand as "a conservative firewall against the expressed will of a majority of Americans on a range of crucial issues".

The authors then describe about RBG's commitment for court even when she was going through multiple health emergencies. The author's then go on to say how the future of court lies in Mitch McConnell, "the man who has done more damage to the court’s standing than perhaps anyone in modern American history".

The author's finally finish by saying:

Justice Ginsburg, who was Jewish, died on the eve of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year. Fittingly, it is a day when Jews look backward and forward, reflecting on what has passed, and preparing for what is to come. Justice Ginsburg’s death marks the end of her long battle on behalf of equality for all Americans. Others must now carry that fight forward.

Interesting Public Comments

1. As cable news quickly segued into politics, I felt the meaning of Justice Ginsburg’s life was subsumed. She was a legal force of nature. She made us understand the backwardness of our ideas about constitutional guarantees for women. She radically changed lives, and our society, for the better. She was our guide.

2. As we reflect on the courage, humanity and brilliant legal mind of Justice Ginsburg we should not just be saying a silent prayer for her passing, but making a clear vow that we will not let her vision for the real “greatness” of America to be expressed in legislation which promotes our shared humanity and equality before the law.

3. Tonight we lit an extra candle for Justice Ginsburg at our dinner table. The flame to remember her spirit, the warmth to honor her humanity, the light to remind us that the pursuit of justice for all people must continue.