Reflecting on Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Message to Birmingham

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the nation’s highest court, speaks at the 60th Commemoration of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Pool Photo/Butch Dill)

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the nation’s highest court, spoke on Friday, September 15 at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham for the 60th anniversary memorial service in honor of the four girls killed in the 1963 bombing at the church.

Though she stressed that she was raised by parents who made sure she knew Alabama’s rich history, Jackson shared that this week marked her first visit to the state.

“I felt in my spirit that I had to come,” she said to us, explaining why she’d decided to make the trip. “I’ve come to Alabama to commemorate and mourn, celebrate and warn,” she said.

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Who says freedom isn’t free?

Editor’s Note: See Jane Write now publishes articles and personal essays by writers who identify as women, non-binary folks, and our allies. Learn more here.

by Kecia L. Lightner

“Freedom is not something that anybody can be given; freedom is something people take and people are as free as they want to be.” James Baldwin radically made this declaration in 1960 at the third annual Esquire Magazine symposium, later to be included in his essay collection, Nobody Knows My Name.  Little did I know how this quote would resonate with me so succinctly on the day I unexpectedly walked away from a 21-year career.

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How I’m Preparing for Fall

The cool air that kisses my face during my morning walks lets me know that fall is just around the corner. While some folks are stocking up on all things pumpkin spice, I’m preparing for autumn in a different way, the writer’s way.

Here’s how I’m preparing for fall and some journaling prompts to help you do the same.

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Help MONOPOLY tell Birmingham’s story

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and Mr. Monopoly want to know which Magic City landmarks, businesses, and nonprofits you think should become squares on the board of MONOPOLY: Birmingham Edition.

Birmingham, you’ll soon be able to take family game night to another level with a special Magic City edition of the classic game MONOPOLY.

Top Trumps USA, the American division of Winning Moves International, creators of classic games and puzzles, recently announced that MONOPOLY: Birmingham Edition will debut in March 2024, under license from toy and game company Hasbro.

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I always wanted to be a stay-at-home freelancer, so why am I so sad?

Editor’s Note: See Jane Write now publishes articles and personal essays by writers who identify as women, non-binary folks, and our allies. Learn more here.

By Carmen Shea Brown

I remember the drive down the long, winding road to my place of employment, passing all the same restaurants, shopping centers and offices I had gone by almost every day for the past 10 years. After months of thinking, praying and analyzing the situation from all angles, I knew I was doing the right thing. Still, as I got closer to the parking lot, my heart felt like it was going to explode. 

I was about to break the news to my manager, supervisors and co-workers that after a decade of being a faithful employee at a major retail chain, I was leaving to pursue my passion for writing full-time. 

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