With the nomination hearings just a few short weeks away, I wanted to share some important information about President Obama's choice for the next US Supreme Court Justice, Elena Kagan.
Briefly, before I do so, I wanted to just comment that I have read about the strong opposition of Elena Kagan by black scholars due to her not hiring African-Americans while a Dean at Harvard Law School. I do not know all the details, but I wished the situation were different, in all due respect.
However, here is what I do know and understand as an African-American with a disability and parent of a child with special needs; Elena Kagan has a great understanding and belief in the need for inclusion and quality of life in the US! If nominated to the highest bench in the land, she will bring that knowledge front and center when hearing and deciding cases that will affect million, millions of persons with disabilities such as Cerebral Palsey, Anxiety Disorders, Chronic Depression, birth defects, and the list goes on and on.
As a parent of a special needs child, I have advocated year after year for 23 plus years for my child to be included in the community, accessible housing, school activities, etc. It is comforting to know that the judicial system will be in a position of understanding what is quality of life. I wonder if I could have avoided developing a mental health condition if that path were easier. Unfortunately, it is what it is and when the US Supreme Court can gain insight and increased understanding about why these issues are important, there is hope in bringing down stubborn discriminatory strongholds, stigmas, and stereotypes.
So, while Elena Kagan wasn't heralded for hiring 20 or so African-Americans (I am not making light of this), she is capable of casting a vote that will give hundreds of thousands and even millions upon millions, a quality of life and inclusion in housing, education, employment, recreation, etc. We need this balance on the US Supreme Court at last. We need to support Elena Kagan's nomination to the United States Supreme Court and tell our Congress to do so quickly!
Here are some more important facts about Elena Kagan:
1) Kagan, currently U.S. Solicitor General, served in the Clinton White House as an Associate Counsel to the former President in 1995 and 1996 and as Deputy Assistant for Domestic Policy from 1997 to 1999. During that role, former President Clinton passed the "Family Medical Leave Act" and the "Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)." IDEA opened the way for individuals with disabilities to receive inclusion with special education and supports and services. This is a gemstone for every parent with a special needs child. That influence certainly carried over with Elena Kagan when she performed her duties at Harvard Law School. That depth of compassion and commitment to the special needs community demonstrates hope for millions who will be affected by decision coming down from the US Supreme Court to preserve the constitutional rights of those with disabilities;
2) After years of working as a professor, Kagan became the Harvard law's dean in 2003 and jump-started a transformation that added quality-of-life-activities for the students and inclusion;
3) Elena Kagan was the first female dean of Harvard Law in the school's 186-year history. During her tenure, she fostered consensus among differing viewpoints, promoted a diversity of opinions, and encouraged a respectful exchange of ideas, earning her great admiration among the student body. She also instituted a financial program that encouraged and assisted students in choosing careers in public service.
Of course, we must stand behind President Obama to ensure that Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court is successful and swift. Becoming the fourth female to ever serve on the US Supreme court is not a matter of race. This i s a matter of giving million upon millions of Americans with a disability a voice and hope. For that reason, we should be proud that President has the courage to go against the status quo once again in the vein of "Change" to strengthen our country.
We all know somebody with a disability or special needs (i.e., Cerebral Palsey, birth defect, Torrets Syndrome, Mental Health condition, Arthritis, etc.) who has been denied access to quality housing, recreation, education, etc. It's time to speak up for them!
Contact your Senator or Representative at
www.Senate.gov or
www.House.gov and URGE him/Her to vote for Elena Kagan quickly when the hearings begin on June 28, 2010.
Let me know how you feel about Elena Kagan now that you know her better. What did your Senator or Representative say when you contacted him or her? Did you remember to share this information with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers?
Passing the peace and love,
Posted By: agnes levine
Saturday, June 5th 2010 at 11:20AM
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