By Khadija Allen
In the days leading up a highly anticipated Supreme Court decision of former Harvard Law School Dean Elena Kagan, her confirmation hearing has gained more support among black civil rights leaders who see her as a stepping stone in the right direction for the U.S Supreme Court. As she goes before the U.S Senate Judiciary Committee this week, black organizations such as the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) and the NAACP are close to or have endorsed President Obama’s nomination pick.
Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the LCCR announced their support in a press release that she is confirmed as the Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. “In every step of her career, Elena Kagan has highly distinguished herself through her outstanding intellectual credentials, her independence of thought and her strong respect for the rule of law,” Henderson said. ” She is fully qualified and ready to serve on the Supreme Court.”
In addition, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund came out in support of her credentials as concerns mounting from President Obama’s decision not to nominate a black woman, was expressed by black female advocates or leaders who felt the injustice of not electing a black female justice. Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civil Participation noticed the impartiality on the bench, as well the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law which surrendered support of Kagan on the grounds of civil rights issues.
Kagan is under scrutiny by the majority Democratic Judiciary Committee and Republicans to decide whether she is fit for the Associate Justice position to replace Associate Justice John Paul Stevens. A possible filibuster could be likely if the nomination succeeds to the Senate for an official vote.
