From: Amanda McKinley
Columbus
Watching the news interview with Sen. Mike Braun last week was disturbing. He was asked about the Supreme Court ruling Loving v. Virginia, which ruled laws banning interracial marriage violate the equal protection and due process clauses of the 14th Amendment. Braun was specifically asked twice if he felt these matters should be left to the states to decide.
Erroneously, Braun responded, “When it comes to issues, you can’t have it both ways. When you want that diversity to shine within our federal system, there are gonna be rules and proceedings that are gonna be out of synch with maybe what other states would do. It’s the beauty of the system, and that’s where the differences among points of view in our 50 states ought to express themselves. …”
Asked again, “So, you would be OK with the Supreme Court leaving the question of interracial marriage to the states?” Braun responded, “Yes. I think that that’s something that if you’re not wanting the Supreme Court to weigh in on issues like that, you’re not gonna be able to have your cake and eat it too. I think it’s hypocritical.”
The sickest part of this is that when he was questioned about this landmark ruling, the press conference had been called to get his opinion on a nominee to the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson, who happens to be the first African American woman nominated and who is in an interracial marriage. When Braun was asked later about his response, he walked back his position, saying he didn’t understand the questioning. What is there not to understand? Is the power of the Supreme Court, and its need to interpret fair and just implementation of the law misunderstood?
This debacle unfurled during a backdrop in Indiana where legislators have recently tried to roll back what is allowed to be taught in our schools regarding race and history.
There is a reason that federal law trumps state laws, and that is because when creating federal laws, the entire nation is involved, and the populace is represented by duly elected representatives from every state. When Braun said that the federal system may rule differently than the states, that is exactly the point.
Had our forefathers not created such a fair and balanced government, Southern states might continue to prohibit people of color the right to vote without cumbersome and racially motivated state requirements. Had it not been for the historic ruling of Brown vs. Board of Education, some states may continue to segregate their schools.
At this historic moment, when an African American woman is nominated to the Supreme Court, we should be celebrating how far we have come. Our history should be honored for the challenges overcome through the democratic process. Our elected officials should better understand the reasons our forefathers created three branches of government before stepping in front of the cameras and making a mockery of a historic moment that intelligent and informed citizens should be honored to witness.
