RBG: THE LOSS OF AN UNLIKELY SUPERHERO

There are very few people in power that young people like millennials and Gen-Zers truly look up to. Older people, as history can show, tend to condescend and belittle the struggles and aspirations of the younger generations claiming that they stray from tradition. There is one person, however, who became iconic among younger generations to the point of being considered a superhero of sorts and that is Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Most younger generations have trouble relating to older folks, especially 87-year-olds. Despite her small stature and frail appearance, RBG’s relentless efforts for gender equality earned her the moniker Notorious RBG—a tongue-in-cheek reference to hip-hop’s late rapper Notorious BIG—making her an unlikely idol to the younger, progressive crowd.

Ginsburg’s work with the Women’s Right Project was way ahead of her time when it came to issues such as work discrimination and women’s reproductive rights. Ginsburg herself had experienced discrimination in academia and the workplace making her an even bigger champion for these issues.

The MeToo movement as well as the election of President Trump made it necessary to have someone like Ginsburg supporting women on a political level. Her position showed that it is important to have more fierce women in power as well as political support and participation from younger generations, if there is to be progress.

The future of the vacant Supreme Court seat remains uncertain: there’s much debate and criticism whether Trump should be allowed to appoint a justice on election year since Obama wasn’t given the same courtesy after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016.

Younger generations, especially women, worry that the next appointed justice will threaten the future of women’s reproductive rights with the loss of Ginsburg. At the very least, younger generations hope to keep the rights that were so passionately fought for throughout the years.

One thing is clear, though: the next justice has some big shoes to fill, even if they are Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s.