Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reflects on her unexpected journey to the U.S. Supreme Court in her new memoir titled “Lovely One.” Nominated by President Biden in 2022 to succeed retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, Jackson describes the heightened public attention as “white hot.”
In her memoir, Jackson shares her family’s roots in the segregated South and personal stories that reveal insights into her life, including the influence of significant figures such as her grandmother, Euzera Ross. She recalls how attending a Black church in Miami provided spiritual grounding in her youth, affirming her identity as a young African American girl in predominantly white educational environments.
One poignant story illustrates a lesson learned from her grandmother. At age eight, Jackson found a note written by her grandmother, which contained misspellings. When she shared it with her mother in amusement, her mother scolded her, emphasizing that despite her advantages, she was no better than anyone else. This moment taught Jackson empathy and the importance of recognizing the struggles others face.
Jackson also opens up about her experiences with parenthood, including the autism diagnosis of her eldest daughter, a topic the family had not previously discussed publicly. She chose to share this aspect of her life in her memoir to inspire others and to reflect on the challenges and resilience of managing family dynamics as a working parent.
In discussing her journey with her hair, Jackson reveals that she, too, grappled with societal perceptions of professionalism. Ultimately, she embraced her natural hair and has maintained sisterlocks for over 15 years, finding a style that fits her identity and lifestyle.
Reflecting on her late grandmother’s aspirations for her, Jackson believes that her grandmother would be immensely proud of her achievements, including graduating from Harvard, her career milestones, and becoming the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s memoir aims to pay tribute to those who shaped her journey and to convey a message of hope and determination.