Amy Coney Barrett: A Threat to Many
By Phe Bentley ’23 and Kira Ferdyn ’22
Modern America is trapped in a battle for human rights. Marginalized groups are constantly violated by systemic biases. As Americans look towards the upcoming election, many are voting for their own fundamental rights. After the loss of Ruth Bader-Ginsburg, the current administration has chosen to overturn the precedent set in 2016 and nominate Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
Barrett leans conservatively, and her appointment pushes the right lean of the Supreme Court to an overwhelming majority of 6-3. Beyond that, many of the views she’s expressed threaten Americans’ rights. Barrett’s position in the Supreme Court will negatively impact the rights of people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and women.
In the middle of a massive movement for racial justice, we are in a position where we will hopefully be seeing more cases for civil rights brought in front of the court. Barrett has a history of being problematic on racial issues and will likely stand against any of these cases. In a 2017 case, where a Black employee at Autozone faced racial segregation, she refused to rehear the case. In her scholarly work, she has considered the underpinnings of Brown v. Board, though she said in her Senate hearing that she considers it a “superprecedent.”
The Supreme Court has played a major role in advancing and curbing racial justice, but it has also been important in aiding the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights. It was responsible for legalizing same-sex marriage and banning gay and transgender discrimination in the workplace. There are some potentially groundbreaking cases coming to court in the near future as well, including Fulton v. Philadelphia, which would ban adoption agencies from turning away same-sex couples wanting to adopt because of their sexuality.
The next Supreme Court member will have a definite impact on the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, and Barrett’s stance on the issue is troubling. She has not served long enough as a federal judge to have the same history of dealing with LGBTQ+ cases as most Supreme Court nominees do; however, at a lecture at Jacksonville University, Barrett was vocal in her opposition to the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling to legalize same-sex marriage. She also questioned allowing transgender individuals to use the bathrooms of their choice.
Following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, women across America are reflecting on her legacy. Amy Coney Barrett strives for the complete opposite of what her predecessor tried to build. Her policies regarding women’s reproductive rights will push Americans backwards. Roe v. Wade, decided in 1973, said that the government is not constitutionally justified to regulate abortion within the first trimester of a pregnancy, nor can it refuse the option of abortion for a mother whose life is in danger. Although Barrett continuously avoided questions regarding this topic during her Senate hearing, Trump officials have suggested her alignment with the dissenting opinion on this case. She views Roe v. Wade as flexible, noting that the call for its reconsideration has never halted. Women’s bodily autonomy and reproductive rights should not be infringed upon by the government. Barrett’s appointment as Supreme Court Justice is detrimental for women across the U.S.
The United States continuously preaches freedom as a core value, yet this is contradicted by the actions of many impactful figures in the government. Barrett is a prime example of this, and her position as justice will further limit the rights of marginalized and oppressed communities. BIPOC, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and women are just three examples of this. Every person deserves to have their rights respected, and the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett pushes Americans backwards on their journey towards equality for all.