Ruth Bater Ginsburg's Legacy and What Happens Next

I initially had a different post planned for today, but given the state of things, I have had a change of heart. I will be posting my original idea on Monday, but today I feel as though I have the duty to say what I am feeling. I have a platform, albeit a small one, so I feel like I need to speak my mind. This blog was named Musings of a Modern Mermaid so that I, a modern woman, could explain and share all of my musings on the world around me. Of course, this is how I see things and my opinions, but there are also things I will include in here that are pure fact and I will make sure that I cite everything so that all my readers can see what I am using. So without further ado, let’s dive in. 

The topic I want to cover today is the death of Just Ruth Bater Ginsburg, and what it means for the country, namely the women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ community. 

Ruth Bater Ginsberg (RBG) had been fighting a battle with cancer for quite a while and had been hospitalized a few times this year from the illness. She was 87 when she passed yesterday, and her last request was “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed” (CNN). This should not have had to be her last request. RBG fought truly up until the end of her life and she shouldn’t have had to. While it is commendable that she wanted to keep fighting for justice for her whole life, she should have been allowed to rest and take the time off she needed to get well without fear that the work she had put in would be dismantled while she was gone. The fact that her last wish was for there not to be a new Supreme Court appointment until, after the election, the fact that she was still thinking of all the people she fought for until the very end of her life is despicable. She should have been allowed to live out her final moments in peace with her family, not worrying over the people she fought for. They should have already been better protected because human rights should be a given. RBG should have been allowed to pass away in peace because there shouldn’t be a debate over if some people get rights or not. 

RBG fought for gender equality in so many aspects. She worked to protect Roe v Wade, which allows women to have access to safe abortions. She fought for gender equality in schools, the workplace, and in government. She was a champion for civil rights and always voted to protect minorities in this country and tried to keep laws in place to protect those who would be affected in low-income neighborhoods or would-be victims to laws that would end up hurting minorities only. She fought against the way money plays such a huge part in politics and hoped to one day see Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission overturned, which amplified the role of money in politics. She was a champion for LGBTQ+ rights, as she was for all minorities and oppressed people. She wanted to get laws into the books for climate change. She wanted better gun laws (NY Times). She was a voice for all of those who have ever felt oppressed or victimized in this country, and she fought for them every single day. She literally fought for them up until she died, and made her final request about those of us she protected and served. 

If you have been on the internet at all since her passing, then you know a lot of people are really upset by her passing, and the main reasons are those I listed above, but there is also a great sense of fear because there is now another seat open on the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Justices are appointed by the president and then have to be voted on by the senate in order to officially become a Justice. This most recently happened with Brett Kavanaugh when he was appointed to the Supreme Court by Trump after a lengthy hearing where many people opposed him becoming a Justice since he was accused of raping Dr. Christine Blasey Ford by Ford herself. I am one to always stand by women and he did not do a good job at all of redeeming himself in the public eyes. Trump wishes to push through a nomination and hopefully get someone appointed before the election in 44 days. His top picks are a danger to society and to the human rights this country is already in danger of losing should Trump be re-elected. One of his potential nominees is Senator Mitch McConnell who, even if not the nominee, has been an outspoken supporter of getting someone into the Supreme Court before the election. However, when this situation came up when Obama wanted to put someone in the Supreme Court before the 2016 election, McConnell was very outspoken against it, saying the people should choose who gets to go in next by voting in the election. Obama was blocked from appointing a new Justice (NY Times).  This has been the case of many people who opposed Obama getting to pick a new Justice because it was too close to the election, but now they want Trump to be able to pick the next Justice, no matter if he wins the next election. 

There are several scary implications that her death means for the non-white, straight men of this country. Abortion access is going to be overturned. While I understand a lot of people are pro-life and do not want abortions being performed, women and unborn fetuses will die at a much higher rate if there is no legal abortion access. Abortions are safe when performed by doctors, but if they are made illegal, it will not stop them. It will bring back back-alley and coat hanger abortions that are dangerous and not always effective. More children will flood the foster care system that is already suffering. Women will die from complications that they cannot get medical treatment because they may get arrested. The Supreme Court can make federal laws, and so many people’s human rights and autonomy is at stake with RBG gone and a potential conservative going in there. LGBTQ+ people will face more discrimination since laws can be overturned that have protected them from workplace and medical discrimination in the past. People of color are at risk of laws being overturned that have protected them. I could go on and on. 

Here is what I need all of you to do: register to vote and cast your vote in a timely manner in order to make sure it is properly counted. As soon as you get your ballot, vote and send it in even if you get it tomorrow. If you have not requested a mail-in ballot, check and see if you still can and get the mail-in option as soon as possible. I know there are concerns with the USPS right now, but all counties have an election drop off building that you can give your ballots to who will ensure they are counted. Next, you need to be signing petitions, calling your representatives, and emailing them to not allow a nomination before inauguration day 2021. 

If you have any questions or need help with any of these steps, please comment below, fill out the email form on my blog, or contact me via social media and I will happily help you complete the steps listed above. 

Stay strong everyone.

Madey

Cover art found here