WASHINGTON — The letter is an extraordinary confession signed by all nine justices of the Washington Supreme Court.
"As judges, we must recognize the role we have played in devaluing black lives,” it says.
When asked what was in their hearts when the letter was composed, Justices Mary Yu and G. Helen Whitener explained their thoughts. “These times are difficult as a black woman on the highest court, having to see the killing of Mr. Floyd who looks like a brother, who looks like a nephew. It’s extremely difficult to put words to paper,” said Whitener. “I was angry. I was hurt and was feeling somewhat disillusioned,” she added.
Whitener was appointed to the Supreme Court in April. She is a native of Trinidad and Tobago. She’s the fourth immigrant-born justice, and the first black, openly LGBTQ judge in Washington.
“I have to say I was feeling deep pain as well,” said Yu.
On the court since 2014, she grew up in Chicago. She is the first Asian, the first Latina, and the first member of the LGBTQ community to serve on the Supreme Court.
“As a woman of color, I’m aware of how we’re treated differently,” Yu said.
“The systemic oppression of black Americans is not merely incorrect and harmful; it is shameful and deadly,” the letter reads.
“This, for me, just screamed out for us to finally say stop and reflect on our own role as a court,” Yu said.
The letter points to a 1960 example, “This very court once held that a Washington cemetery could lawfully deny grieving black parents the right to bury their infant.”
“The way the court addressed the case, you could tell that they were going to find any way to justify the discrimination by striking down a law that made it unlawful rather than find equality,” Yu said.
Whitener added, “Now with Mr. Floyd’s death, these issues came to the forefront of people’s minds because they could see it. Well, black people have been seeing this for years, and we went unheard.”
The letter ends with this pledge, “We go by the title of ‘Justice’ and we reaffirm our deepest level of commitment to achieving justice by ending racism."
“I’m really proud of the bench and what it has done. It has given voice to an issue.
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