After 27 years of service, Justice Stephen Breyer announced his impending retirement from the Supreme Court. The 83-year-old liberal justice faced pressure from the left to retire while the Democrats maintain power in the White House and Senate, NBC reports. 

Even before Breyer’s retirement announcement, President Joe Biden promised in his campaign to select a Black woman to fill the role. While a Black woman has never held a position in the Supreme Court before and this would be a momentous cause for celebration, it is not fair for the president to disregard all other potential candidates on preference of gender or race. 

RACIAL PREFERENCE

“The person I will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity. And that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court,” Biden said. “It’s long overdue in my view. I made that commitment during the campaign for president, and I will keep that commitment.”

While some people rejoice at Biden’s announcement, ABC News reports that 76% of Americans want a wider range of nominees to be considered. While his intention of choosing the first Black female justice is good, he continues to inadvertently ignore all other qualified applicants as a result of their race and gender. Another minority person would have no chance. 

Race and gender should never predispose someone into a job. In regards to affirmative action, 73% of Americans say race and ethnicity should not play a role in college acceptance, Pew Research Center reports. Asian students are taking the case to the Supreme Court to fight for equal access to higher education after dropping in enrollment rates due to affirmative action. Acceptance into these roles should be based on how hard individuals work, their successes and appropriate fit for the role. 

BE EQUAL, BE FAIR

Of course, there is no perfect world and there are always injustices—it should not be tolerated in any form, even in racial preference. It is a fine line to walk—but one that is vital for a flourishing society.

While the potential women who are in running for the nomination are qualified for the role, any predisposition toward or against anyone from a certain race should not be tolerated. Rather than announcing what ethnicity or gender he is looking for, Biden should focus on their skills. It does nothing to help restore unity in the United States to continue to implement racial preferences.