The number one Black job in America

The U.S. Supreme Court. (Al Drago/Getty Images)

By Ashley McBride

During last Thursday’s presidential debate, former President Donald Trump brought up “Black jobs.” On social media, Black people responded asking what exactly he meant by that. I’ve since come to realize that the number one Black job in America right now should be doing what we’ve done before: sounding the alarm about the potential for an even more conservative Supreme Court.

As I watched Thursday’s debate between President Joe Biden and former President Trump, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of urgency — not despair. Yes, Biden had a rough night. He stumbled on a few answers and struggled to counter Trump’s often non-factual attacks. However, regardless of your partisan leanings, what’s more important than a single debate is understanding the high stakes of this election. Our future is on the line, and the Supreme Court is at the heart of what’s at risk.

As a Black woman and mother, the erosion of my bodily autonomy by this Court has been deeply personal and profoundly unsettling. The Supreme Court’s decisions have stripped away rights that generations fought to secure. These aren’t just political points; they are life-or-death issues for women like me and countless others across this nation.

The recent decision by the Court to essentially give a President the ability to avoid criminal prosecution if he violated criminal law in the capacity of the office further emphasizes the even darker place a further solidification of the conservative tilt of the Court could take our country.

Again, regardless of your partisan leanings, the risks associated with a more conservative court are underscored by the juxtaposition of Trump with his 34 convictions, and former President Barack Obama’s experience running for office — during which Obama was scrutinized and put under a microscope for so much less. It is laughable if not maddening as a Black American.

During the debate, Trump made it clear that he would double down on the ideological leanings that have defined his past judicial appointments. These are justices that have already led to significant rollbacks in reproductive rights, voting rights, and environmental protections. These potential future picks would only further entrench these regressive policies, making it nearly impossible to reverse the damage for decades to come.

The consequences of a more ideologically extreme court will be catastrophic — not just for women, but for all marginalized communities, for our environment, for our workers, and for the fundamental values of justice and equality.

Keeping the Supreme Court in mind when voting isn’t just about party loyalty; it’s about safeguarding our future. Our Supreme Court Justices should uphold the rights of all Americans, protect our freedoms, and ensure that justice is not a privilege for the few but a right for everyone.

This election isn’t just about policies or party lines—it’s about the kind of country we want to live in and the legacy we want to leave for future generations. We have seen the damage that can be done by a Supreme Court already tilted towards extremism. We should be careful about letting it slip further in an extreme direction.

For our future, for our rights, for the soul of our nation, I urge everyone to vote. Our democracy depends on it, our rights depend on it, and our lives depend on it.

We have the power to shape our future, and we must use it wisely. Let’s not let a single debate distract us from the bigger picture and the monumental stakes at hand. Our future is in our hands—let’s protect it.

Ashley McBride is the State Director of For Our Future PA, a grassroots organization that promotes progressive and positive change for working families in Pennsylvania.

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