Supreme Court decisions over the last few years have been especially disappointing and concerning. This year was no different. Just weeks after the Supreme Court decided on the 303 Creative case and the Student Debt forgiveness case, the People’s Parity Project hosted their annual Convening. Student leaders from schools all across the country, along with practicing lawyers, met in Washington D.C. to discuss Judicial supremacy and how we must fight back against it. Here are a few of my takeaways from the weekend. 

First, we need to create more diversity on the bench. Creating more diversity in the identity backgrounds of our judges is important. Equally as important, however, is diversity in work background and perspectives. Currently, many judges on the bench worked as prosecutors or worked in the private sector. Although these fields are important, public defenders, labor lawyers, and public interest lawyers are necessary perspectives to be included on the bench. As Judge Anita Earls from North Carolina explained, our legal system is built on the an adversarial premise: that there are two sides to a case, with each party having representation. To only have judges from one side does not fit into our notion of how the legal system is supposed to work. We need diversity. Expanding these perspectives and experiences is vital to bringing progress and diversity into our court system.

Next, state courts are the best place for us to fight back against judicial supremacy, especially in states that elect judges to the bench or judicial committees who appoint judges. There are often mixed feelings toward judges, and this has a lot to do with most peoples’ extremely limited exposure to what judges do. We need to push the narrative that there are judges who are working to make positive changes. When judges are not fighting for those positive changes, we must demand justice. There is tremendous power in numbers. The more people we have fighting in an organized manner, the stronger we become. The People’s Parity Project is a nationwide community demanding this judicial justice, and is a great place to find an organized community demanding judicial justice!

Finally, I was reminded on multiple occasions to remain hopeful in the continued fight for equity and justice. The collective power is unlimited! We must be willing to show up for the marathon of work, be consistent in organizing, donating, and supporting the work being done. Find joy in this collective power and celebrate even the smallest wins together. By keeping the perspective of hope and joy, we will be better situated to interrupt the current legal systems and we will change the justice system together!

If you are interested in more information on the Convening, please feel free to reach out to your local People Parity Project National Fellows, Caitlin Jones or Grace Brunner.