A Nod to the Notorious RBG
The grey air-freshener that hangs from my rearview mirror has now lost whatever scent it originally possessed when I received it one year ago, and has instead now taken on whatever scent permeates my car on a day to day basis. I sit in my driver seat, impatiently rubbing my hands together while my car warms up in the forty degree weather, unusual for mid-September in New York. It’s somewhere around nine o’clock at night, I’ve just finished my shift waitressing and am anxious to get home and take a hot shower, but as I go to shift my car into reverse, I’m reminded of the news that exploded across my phone in a series of notifications during my shift.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away. The Notorious RBG … gone.
I look at her face, staring back at me on the grey air-freshener, but I can’t muster a smile tonight.
dissent.
It’s printed clearly just below her portrait. I’m saddened, for those in her family, her friends, and for the world, because let’s face it, the woman was a force to be reckoned with. She has more than been celebrated via internet culture: from the book, The Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, to the 2018 biopic, On The Basis of Sex, which told the story of Ginsburg’s early years as a professor and a litigator. There’s been no shortage of RBG-related content across the web, but the celebration is not frivolous. Each and every RBG related post and work of culture is significant in reference to her life and her work.
She spent 27 years on the nation’s highest court, becoming known for her lengthy and detailed dissensions and intentionally becoming a feminist icon for so many. Ginsburg spent years fighting against gender discrimination and even unified the liberal block of the supreme court, neither of which was an easy task to accomplish.
As profound in life as her actions were, her death also has consequences for the current state of the Supreme Court and for the country. I’m sure the ensuing battle for who will replace her on the Supreme Court is going to be a tumultuous and unpleasant battle for all involved.
Before I sign off, I want to share one more little RBG story. A few months ago, one of my friends found a Ruth Bader Ginsburg ornament while perusing the Christmas Tree Shop. Knowing me well, she immediately went to the counter to buy it. While this story is much funnier when she tells it, she said that the cashier was probably around 23 years old, and excitedly exclaimed, “Oh my gosh! I didn’t even know we had this! My mom loves Judge Judy!” This story may seem counterintuitive to add in at the end of a post where I am discussing the cultural impact of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but I don’t really think it matters, because the crux of the story is that the same little ornament that brought me so much joy when I took it out of the gift bag, also delighted the cashier (and hopefully her mom!) just as much. She may not have realized who the ornament was supposed to be, but it still impacted her in one way or another.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away. The Notorious RBG … gone.
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| Photo via knowyourmeme.com |
I look at her face, staring back at me on the grey air-freshener, but I can’t muster a smile tonight.
dissent.
It’s printed clearly just below her portrait. I’m saddened, for those in her family, her friends, and for the world, because let’s face it, the woman was a force to be reckoned with. She has more than been celebrated via internet culture: from the book, The Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, to the 2018 biopic, On The Basis of Sex, which told the story of Ginsburg’s early years as a professor and a litigator. There’s been no shortage of RBG-related content across the web, but the celebration is not frivolous. Each and every RBG related post and work of culture is significant in reference to her life and her work.
She spent 27 years on the nation’s highest court, becoming known for her lengthy and detailed dissensions and intentionally becoming a feminist icon for so many. Ginsburg spent years fighting against gender discrimination and even unified the liberal block of the supreme court, neither of which was an easy task to accomplish.
As profound in life as her actions were, her death also has consequences for the current state of the Supreme Court and for the country. I’m sure the ensuing battle for who will replace her on the Supreme Court is going to be a tumultuous and unpleasant battle for all involved.
Before I sign off, I want to share one more little RBG story. A few months ago, one of my friends found a Ruth Bader Ginsburg ornament while perusing the Christmas Tree Shop. Knowing me well, she immediately went to the counter to buy it. While this story is much funnier when she tells it, she said that the cashier was probably around 23 years old, and excitedly exclaimed, “Oh my gosh! I didn’t even know we had this! My mom loves Judge Judy!” This story may seem counterintuitive to add in at the end of a post where I am discussing the cultural impact of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but I don’t really think it matters, because the crux of the story is that the same little ornament that brought me so much joy when I took it out of the gift bag, also delighted the cashier (and hopefully her mom!) just as much. She may not have realized who the ornament was supposed to be, but it still impacted her in one way or another.
"Women belong in all places where decisions are being made."
Rest in power, RBG.
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