What MHS students think about Ruth Bader Ginsburg

On the 18th of September, US Supreme Court, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, passed away due to pancreatic cancer.  She impacted the court’s opinions on several cases that advanced gender equality, abortion rights, and upheld Fourth Amendment rights.

Her passing opens a new seat on the Supreme Court, six weeks before the upcoming 2020 Election.  The questions of who will fill her spot has caused controversy.

Students were asked their opinions on Ginsburg and her work.  As is always the case, bias is acknowledged.

First, most of the students interviewed did not know much about Ginsburg before the interview began.

“I probably should know more than I do, but I don’t know much,” Junior Adam Williams said.

This was common for both male and female students.

“I had to go look up who Ruth Bader Ginsburg was/what she did. I had heard of her, but not enough to give you my opinion,” Junior Hannah Snelgrove said.

Some had heard about Ginsburg from their friends.

“They said that, while she was in the Supreme Court, she did a lot of things that were super influential, and that just helped a lot of people,” Junior Luke Dutson said.

They were split on her actions as a Justice.  She helped to shrink the wage gap while also making abortions more freely available.  This issue is where most of them were split, but some could understand the other side.

“I really don’t agree with abortion, but I can see there’s a lot of people who would agree with abortion.  I can see [people] wanting equality, so it’s not bad action. It really doesn’t bother me too much.  But it’s joyful knowing someone is fighting. It is sad she passed,” Junior Telia Zollinger said.

Opinions were mixed on the timing of her replacement.  

“I think it would make sense to wait until after the election, because [it’s] so close to the new election that [it] seems like the current president would want to put as many people as he chose in the office before he leaves so that there’s still representation,” Dutson said.

Ginsburg’s death disheartened many.  She has left a legacy behind her in her passing, and many are aware of that across the nation.

“After my quick searching, she was an incredible lady!  She helped a lot with discrimination against women.  She also helped with recognizing how women’s rights have gotten violated.  She was an avid questioner in all cases that she was in,” Snelgrove said.