Supreme Court – …on the B.L.

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Happy Fourth of July from Beau and I to you!

For the non-Americans, the Fourth of July is when the United States celebrates its freedom, and it is also known as Independence Day.

In 1776, the United States was actually a British colony. On July 2, 1776, we declared independence from the British Empire. Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It wasn’t until August 2, 1776 that the Declaration was signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in Independence Hall. Today, Americans like to celebrate with a day off, food, fireworks, and time spent with family and friends. Fireworks are mandatory in my book.

This is my first Fourth in Texas. I’ve lived in Texas for two and a half years. The first year, I was on vacation in San Diego. Last year, I was in Chicago. This year, I am celebrating with friends and Beau. We’ll find out if Beau is scared of fireworks…

I have mixed feelings about the Fourth of July. Many Americans like to taut the U.S. as the best country in the world. I do love this country despite the human cesspool currently in office. There are lots of things to love, and a whole bunch of things leading to disappointment and anger.

Like many countries, America’s history is fraught with racism, oppression, destruction, ignorance, slavery, and so much more. We are a great country with some truly wonderful people and things to offer the world, but there are some equally frightening aspects of who we are.

Our present is precarious. We are stripping women of their autonomy and rights. We’re holding children and adults at borders in horrifying conditions so much so people are dying. We elected a terrible person to the highest office in this country. A rapist is sitting on the Supreme Court. Racism is rampant. Flint’s water is still dangerous. College is overpriced. People think vaccines are a scam. Insurance is not for everyone. Oh my God, the list goes on and on and on and on. My heart hurts, and anger is an understatement.

I don’t understand how we could possibly be the greatest country in the world when there are so many people suffering and so many things are going wrong. We are a country full of potential to be great, but we’re not there yet.

Happy Fourth of July. Have fun! Celebrate. Enjoy the day. I will. But don’t let the fanfare make you forget all the things we have done wrong historically and presently.

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Worth A Read Yes
Length 496
Quick Review A biography of the Supreme Court’s first female justice of the peace.

Reading First by Evan Thomas in Galveston. | Black Dress

I loved this book. First by Evan Thomas is a beautiful look into the life and work of Sandra Day O’Connor. It is an in depth and interesting look at the life of a fascinating and brilliant woman. Thomas pays homage to a life built on principle, truth, honor, and family.

I didn’t know much about Sandra Day O’Connor when I started the book, except for the fact she exists and the Supreme Court bit. Surprisingly, a lot of my peers don’t know anything about her either. Even my feminist friends didn’t realize she was the first woman on the Supreme Court. Ugh, the education system fails again. I couldn’t wait to dive into this book, and it did not disappoint. Thomas writes an account as brilliant and intimate as the woman deserves.

Sandra Day O’Connor was born and raised on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. She went to Stanford for her B.A. in Economics as well as for law school. She married her husband John O’Connor. As an educated woman in the 1950’s, she had difficulty finding work as a lawyer even though she was more than qualified. She became the mother of three boys and was an active part of their Arizona community. In the 1960’s, she was an assistant Attorney General in Arizona before becoming a Senator in Arizona’s state legislature. In 1974, she became a judge. In 1981, Reagan appointed Sandra Day O’Connor to the Supreme Court, where she worked tirelessly for justice. She was the First woman to be on the Supreme Court.

First by Evan Thomas | Black Dress | Straw Hat

There is so much in a life, but in an extraordinary life, there is even more. First could have been a much longer book and still been interesting. Thomas writes about the life and the woman. She was funny, personable, and hardworking. Sandra Day O’Connor cared. She cared about her family, the people around her, and the country. She worked for the good of the community and the world. She kept her personal feelings aside from her job in order to make the right decision. People who met her were always charmed.

I, generally, don’t love female biographies written by men. They don’t have the life experience of women and can’t write an accurate depiction of what women go through. Thomas is not afraid to point out the inequality and male blind spots O’Connor faced in her daily life as a strong and smart woman.

One thing I deeply admire about Sandra Day O’Connor was her dedication to her family and her career. In a time when women didn’t have careers, she rose to one of the highest positions in the country. Her husband supported her and was a partner, but she did the same for him.

I highly suggest First by Evan Thomas. It is a beautiful biography and homage to a revolutionary woman.

Memorable Quotes
“She learned not to take the bait.”
“Revolution always breeds counterrevolution.”
“when Sandra Day O’Connor joined the Court in 1981, the justices were still working out whether gays and women enjoyed the same Fourteenth Amendment protection as African Americans did.”

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Title: First; Sandra Day O’Connor
Author: Evan Thomas
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 2019
ISBN: 9780399589287