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just_one_more_paige 's review for:
My Own Words
by Ruth Bader Ginsburg
This review originally appeared on the book review blog: Just One More Pa(i)ge.
“She explained. She elaborated. She scolded. She demurred. She even laughed. Ultimately, she conquered.”
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Notorious RBG, has somewhat, of recent, become a pop culture icon. Last year, on International Women’s Day, the lunch/break room for my grad school department (Maternal and Child Health) had printed coloring book pages of her and provided crayons so that we could all celebrate with some RBG coloring fun. And it truly was lots of fun. But until I picked up this book, a sort of spur of the moment audiobook choice for my next “car read,” I truly had no idea how amazing she actually was. And now that I have a better idea, let me just say, holy f***, she is AMAZING. I definitely have a new hero(ine).
Before starting this review, I have to be honest…this is a dense book. I think that had I tried to actually read it, instead of listen, I might have easily gotten bogged down and had trouble making it through. But listening really helped me keep it moving along at a steady pace. Additionally, the fact that all the speeches, bench announcements, introductions, etc. that are reproduced in the book in transcript were actually played from recordings of Justice Ginsburg herself (and in some cases her husband, Marty) was pivotal. Hearing her speak her own words (I see what they did with the title) truly added a lot to the experience and I don’t think it would have been as fulfilling if I had simply read the book.
As to what the book itself covers, we get a variety. There are some short pieces (editorials and letters to the editor) that Ruth wrote as a young girl and student, some of her thoughts on the role of law in opera (which apparently she loves), some commentary and insight on the traditions and practices of the Supreme Court, and definitely some amusing and touching stories about her youth, her relationship with Marty and her family. These parts help to balance out some of the more ‘serious’ aspects, like her experiences working for sex/gender equality in the US, publications and lectures from her time as a law professor, and, of course, many opinions and dissents from her time as a judge and Supreme Court Justice.
It’s one thing to know that she was one of the first tenured law professors in the country and only the second ever female Supreme Court Justice, but it’s quite another to really hear what that means in practice. Going to law school primarily with men, with a young child at home, is something that took quite a bit of effort and compartmentalizing on RBG’s part, as well as considerable support and understanding from her husband and family (remarkable for the time, to be sure). It’s inspiring on so many levels what she accomplished at the forefront of a field that, still today, is dominated by men (though the ranks of women lawyers have definitively swelled over the years and we all know there are now 3 females Justices!). And her consistent and unyielding work as one of the liberal Justices on the Supreme Court (and now as the most senior of this, minority, group) is just impressive beyond measure.
I learned a ridiculous amount reading this book. And though I can say for sure that some things went over my head (there was a lot of language I wasn’t familiar with and that took some adjusting), I can also say that I still came away with so much knowledge. The history of equality for women in this country, and what RBG has managed to do for women as a leader and icon, but also her efforts through law, is something that, the specifics of which, I absolutely wish were more widely known. I was completely fascinated reading about gender discrimination in the law – I believe myself to be a staunch feminist, but this legal/judicial/constitutional perspective of feminism is newer to me – and hearing about the specifics of important cases and rulings affecting gender equality in our country was fascinating. Plus, there are quite a few sections in which RBG pays homage to other great women in history, who have either been overlooked or helped pave her way, from previous Supreme Court Justices' wives to Gloria Steinem to Sandra Day O’Connor – and it’s beautiful and heartfelt and, again, so educational. Some of the concepts discussed, like the ideas of laws based in romantic paternalism and the important role of cases in which men were discriminated against [in fighting the legalized methods of gender discrimination], were just eye opening and sometimes jaw dropping. I also just loved that, even though in all her speeches and statements Justice RBG’s tone stays measured and controlled (almost monotonous), as I got more familiar with it, I could feel a little bit of attitude in the words she uses. Some of her bench announcements in dissent, especially recently, with the Hobby Lobby contraceptive and U of Texas/Fisher affirmative action cases, made me snort and want to cheer in support. And the (subtle?) snark is great in her Justice nomination hearing speech, when she essentially “warns” the legislators that they are evaluating her as a judge, and surely they know that asking her, as an advocate, how she might vote on a certain issue without a case in front of her would show disdain for both the case itself and the entire judicial system of impartiality and decision-making based on constitutional interpretation in each individual situation. (* definitely insert my cheers of support here*)
Each time she read a speech, opinion or dissent, it was concise, clear, and full of feeling. And though I know being in ideological agreement with her might bias me on this front, I cannot say enough how much I respect her own unparalleled respect for the basic human dignity, equal justice under the law, and right to self-determination of each and every person. It’s not a light or easy read, but this is one that I am so glad I undertook. I am impressed and inspired and I truly hope that RBG has many more years of service left to give because I (we) need more of her!
To sum up, this is why every woman in the US should love this strong female leader with attitude: "When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been asked when there will be enough women on the Supreme Court, her eyes twinkle as she responds, 'My answer is, when there are nine.'"
“She explained. She elaborated. She scolded. She demurred. She even laughed. Ultimately, she conquered.”
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Notorious RBG, has somewhat, of recent, become a pop culture icon. Last year, on International Women’s Day, the lunch/break room for my grad school department (Maternal and Child Health) had printed coloring book pages of her and provided crayons so that we could all celebrate with some RBG coloring fun. And it truly was lots of fun. But until I picked up this book, a sort of spur of the moment audiobook choice for my next “car read,” I truly had no idea how amazing she actually was. And now that I have a better idea, let me just say, holy f***, she is AMAZING. I definitely have a new hero(ine).
Before starting this review, I have to be honest…this is a dense book. I think that had I tried to actually read it, instead of listen, I might have easily gotten bogged down and had trouble making it through. But listening really helped me keep it moving along at a steady pace. Additionally, the fact that all the speeches, bench announcements, introductions, etc. that are reproduced in the book in transcript were actually played from recordings of Justice Ginsburg herself (and in some cases her husband, Marty) was pivotal. Hearing her speak her own words (I see what they did with the title) truly added a lot to the experience and I don’t think it would have been as fulfilling if I had simply read the book.
As to what the book itself covers, we get a variety. There are some short pieces (editorials and letters to the editor) that Ruth wrote as a young girl and student, some of her thoughts on the role of law in opera (which apparently she loves), some commentary and insight on the traditions and practices of the Supreme Court, and definitely some amusing and touching stories about her youth, her relationship with Marty and her family. These parts help to balance out some of the more ‘serious’ aspects, like her experiences working for sex/gender equality in the US, publications and lectures from her time as a law professor, and, of course, many opinions and dissents from her time as a judge and Supreme Court Justice.
It’s one thing to know that she was one of the first tenured law professors in the country and only the second ever female Supreme Court Justice, but it’s quite another to really hear what that means in practice. Going to law school primarily with men, with a young child at home, is something that took quite a bit of effort and compartmentalizing on RBG’s part, as well as considerable support and understanding from her husband and family (remarkable for the time, to be sure). It’s inspiring on so many levels what she accomplished at the forefront of a field that, still today, is dominated by men (though the ranks of women lawyers have definitively swelled over the years and we all know there are now 3 females Justices!). And her consistent and unyielding work as one of the liberal Justices on the Supreme Court (and now as the most senior of this, minority, group) is just impressive beyond measure.
I learned a ridiculous amount reading this book. And though I can say for sure that some things went over my head (there was a lot of language I wasn’t familiar with and that took some adjusting), I can also say that I still came away with so much knowledge. The history of equality for women in this country, and what RBG has managed to do for women as a leader and icon, but also her efforts through law, is something that, the specifics of which, I absolutely wish were more widely known. I was completely fascinated reading about gender discrimination in the law – I believe myself to be a staunch feminist, but this legal/judicial/constitutional perspective of feminism is newer to me – and hearing about the specifics of important cases and rulings affecting gender equality in our country was fascinating. Plus, there are quite a few sections in which RBG pays homage to other great women in history, who have either been overlooked or helped pave her way, from previous Supreme Court Justices' wives to Gloria Steinem to Sandra Day O’Connor – and it’s beautiful and heartfelt and, again, so educational. Some of the concepts discussed, like the ideas of laws based in romantic paternalism and the important role of cases in which men were discriminated against [in fighting the legalized methods of gender discrimination], were just eye opening and sometimes jaw dropping. I also just loved that, even though in all her speeches and statements Justice RBG’s tone stays measured and controlled (almost monotonous), as I got more familiar with it, I could feel a little bit of attitude in the words she uses. Some of her bench announcements in dissent, especially recently, with the Hobby Lobby contraceptive and U of Texas/Fisher affirmative action cases, made me snort and want to cheer in support. And the (subtle?) snark is great in her Justice nomination hearing speech, when she essentially “warns” the legislators that they are evaluating her as a judge, and surely they know that asking her, as an advocate, how she might vote on a certain issue without a case in front of her would show disdain for both the case itself and the entire judicial system of impartiality and decision-making based on constitutional interpretation in each individual situation. (* definitely insert my cheers of support here*)
Each time she read a speech, opinion or dissent, it was concise, clear, and full of feeling. And though I know being in ideological agreement with her might bias me on this front, I cannot say enough how much I respect her own unparalleled respect for the basic human dignity, equal justice under the law, and right to self-determination of each and every person. It’s not a light or easy read, but this is one that I am so glad I undertook. I am impressed and inspired and I truly hope that RBG has many more years of service left to give because I (we) need more of her!
To sum up, this is why every woman in the US should love this strong female leader with attitude: "When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been asked when there will be enough women on the Supreme Court, her eyes twinkle as she responds, 'My answer is, when there are nine.'"