WASHINGTON — Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, one of the three liberal members of a Supreme Court largely influenced by conservative views, has discovered boxing as an effective means to cope with the frustration that stems from her position on the bench.
“I take boxing lessons,” she shared during a recent interview at the Supreme Court. “And I think that helps you to really get out any frustrations.”
Throughout her tenure, Jackson has faced significant dissenting opinions, particularly regarding rulings that put an end to affirmative action in college admissions and extended immunity from criminal prosecution to former presidents for actions taken in office. At 54, Jackson understands that the dynamics of power within the court are unlikely to change in the near future.
“Progress is not always a forward march. And so this is sort of part of life. The court goes through cycles, and perhaps we’re in one now,” she remarked. “I mean, you can’t pick and choose your time on the court.”
While Jackson does not always agree with the majority opinions, she has managed to accomplish personal milestones throughout her nearly three years on the court.
Her memoir, “Lovely One,” which earned her an advance close to $900,000 from Random House, briefly achieved bestseller status on The New York Times list last fall.
Jackson has especially appreciated reader feedback on her experiences as a mother, particularly regarding her eldest daughter Talia, who was diagnosed with autism as a child and faced challenges in conventional school environments that had otherwise nurtured Jackson’s own academic success.
“Ultimately, we decided that if I was going to tell my story, that I should be truthful about our family and what happened, especially when my daughter was young and our learning about her needs,” she explained.
Readers have expressed how relatable they found her family’s story, particularly since personal narratives like hers are often underrepresented in public discourse.
In December, Jackson had a brief but thrilling experience making her Broadway debut in a one-night event featuring “& Juliet,” after the producers took notice of her school performances. The musical offers a contemporary twist, exploring an alternate outcome of Juliet’s fate from Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
“I was nervous about going out on stage on Broadway, for sure,” Jackson admitted, yet noted that it fulfilled a dual aspiration she has harbored since her Harvard days—being recognized as the first Black female justice both on the Supreme Court and on Broadway.
Among her other notable appearances, Jackson was part of the ceremonial activities during President Donald Trump’s inauguration, where she attracted attention for her distinctive white cowrie-shell necklace worn over her judicial robe.
“It happened to coincide with Martin Luther King Day, and I thought I should wear something of cultural significance for that occasion as well, to honor my heritage on this important day,” she said.
The necklace held particular significance due to the historical connection of cowrie shells with African American culture and heritage. Jackson, however, refrained from discussing Trump or his decisions to pardon numerous individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, as she referred to the protesters as a “marauding mob” in her memoir.
Despite her reluctance to comment on the pardons, she emphasized her commitment to maintaining impartiality in her judicial role.
“I think that sometimes that leads to surprising results,” Jackson noted when referencing her decision to side with defendants from January 6 in a certain case.
With the results of the 2024 election now settled, Jackson remarked that the court would remain poised to address significant issues if needed, asserting, “We do what we have to do, or are called to do. The court stands ready to resolve important issues.”
She communicated a sense of pride and honor in her position, fully aware of the groundbreaking significance of her role.
Recalling her welcoming dinner themed around the hit musical “Hamilton,” which was hosted by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Jackson noted the gesture reflected camaraderie among the justices. Barrett, who shares similar age and experience on the court with Jackson, had prepared a large sign inspired by a song from the musical saying, “The room where it happens,” which Jackson later displayed in her chambers.
