02.04.2025 Let Justice Reign

Martin Luther King, Jr. said that America cannot and will not survive...

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Photo credit: Getty Images

Here we are, in February - which is Black History Month - and despite not being a person of color (if you know me, I'm as pale as they come), I believe in celebrating the rich diversity of America, and the myriad of contributions made by Black Americans.  

The celebration was originally established almost 100 years ago as "Negro History Week". Fifty years later, in 1976, President Gerald Ford issued a presidential message establishing February as Black History Month, which has been celebrated by every administration since (until this year, when is being grudgingly acknowledged).

Because this is also ostensibly a jewelry blog - and especially when I started, my goal was to learn and write about the significance of jewelry - this month I want to highlight the amazing cowrie shells worn by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on January 20th.

Photo credit: Getty Images

My first reaction to the photos of Justice Jackson's collar of shells and matching earrings was that it must be a nod to Justice Ginsburg's dissent collar, which she notably wore on the day after the 2016 election. 

Photo credit: NMAAHC

But I began seeing comments on social media about the meaning of cowrie shells in African and African American history.

According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, cowrie shells were valued as currency and for protection in Africa as early as the 14th century.

Robyn Mowatt, writing for Essence, says:

"The saying goes a picture is worth 1,000 words. To the inaugural festivities of President Donald Trump, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was spotted wearing a striking collar with matching earrings...it alludes to the long-established value of cowrie shells in tandem [as a talisman against enslavement] with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s unique position of power." 

Ms. Mowatt also notes that the Justice is the descendant of slaves.

There are numerous Supreme Court Justices among my heroes - Felix Frankfurter, Louis Brandeis, Thurgood Marshall, RBG - if you've spent any time around me (or were, perhaps one of my graduate students) you have heard me talk about all of them.  I'm adding a new name to my list - for her courage, dignity, and commitment to justice for all - Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Photo credit: Amazon

Additionally, if you've been reading the blog for any length of time, you know I have written about the use of jewelry in sartorial commentary by women in power before, including

Madeline Albright - who wrote an entire books about her pins.   

On the inside flap of the book jacket she writes: 

"Before long and without intending it, I found that jewelry had become part of my personal diplomatic arsenal.  Former President George H.W. Bush had been know for saying 'Read my lips'. I began urging colleagues to 'Read my pins.'"

The Vice President, 
wearing Irene Neuwirth

...and Vice President Kamala Harris (we coulda had her in the White House; it's only been two weeks, think about how much better things would be) - for whom pearls are a statement about being a Black woman, an HBCU graduate, and a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sisterhood.

Since antiquity, jewelry has been created and worn to send a message. 

Especially in these dark and distressing times I understand and appreciate wearing a talisman; I find myself reaching for my pieces of Judaica both to make a statement that I am still here, and for protection against the dangers that come from speaking out.

Until next time.