Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Declines To Define 'Woman' Because She's 'Not A Biologist,' Sparking Memes Amid Supreme Court Confirmation

Yesterday on the second day of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing, Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennesee asked Jackson to define the term “woman,” to which Jackson refused to do, saying “I’m not a biologist.” The response subsequently went viral, causing the word "biologist" to trend on Twitter and ignite viral discussions as people responded to her remarks with memes and hot takes into today.

Judge Jackson declines to define 'woman', says she's 'not a biologist' https://t.co/oZ6mrwhM08 pic.twitter.com/soCACRZOlm

— New York Post (@nypost) March 23, 2022

Jackson’s answer was widely criticized and mocked by right-leaning commentators online, who argued the definition of "woman" was very clear. The topic of gender identity is top-of-mind for many as states around the U.S. consider (or have already passed) laws that would define what a woman is — potentially excluding transgender people from that category in some places.

It doesn’t take a biologist to understand what a woman is.

— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) March 23, 2022

For Senator Blackburn and others, the problem with Jackson’s response had to do with its perceived wokeness. Pundits online offered their own definitions of “woman,” asserting that, in their view, the answer to Senator Blackburn’s question was obvious. As such, jokes followed in the wake of the discussions.

Me looking for a BIOLOGIST to explain to me if I’m a woman or not. pic.twitter.com/rTJBLOOiUh

— Obianuju Ekeocha (@obianuju) March 23, 2022

"Did you have sexual relations with that woman?"

I'm sorry but I cannot answer this question accurately, I'm not a biologist…

— T_p R_ck B_ng (@25th_Prestige) March 23, 2022

Many on the other side of the aisle have argued that conservative critiques of Jackson have centered around issues of gender and race, with Republican senators like Ted Cruz asking more questions about Critical Race Theory and LGBTQ+ issues than about legal practice or principles. Some Republicans also rallied around what Democrats call a “debunked” claim by Senator Josh Hawley that Jackson is “soft” on child pornography offenders.

https://t.co/wYFmFNUepU pic.twitter.com/NGa6SgTxdY

— GOP (@GOP) March 22, 2022

Supporters of Judge Jackson mostly memed about her qualifications compared to those of her GOP questioners, arguing that Blackburn is not as intelligent as Jackson.

Imagine having such an accomplished academic and legal career as Ketanji Brown Jackson and the last hurdle between you and a seat on the Supreme Court is half-assed hostile questioning from a Home Ec major with the IQ of sunscreen.

— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) March 23, 2022

By simply existing, Dolly Parton represents TN better than Marsha Blackburn ever could…

— Ty Ross (@cooltxchick) March 22, 2022

“I’m not an attorney. I watch Law & Order from time to time.”

Senator Tillis said this while questioning the most qualified Supreme Court nominee in history.

— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) March 23, 2022

A Washington Post chart comparing Jackson’s qualifications to those of her predecessors also circulated widely. If confirmed, Jackson would be the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.

Quite the @washingtonpost chart on the background and experience that Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will bring to the Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/S3dMEjFUYd

— chrismeagher46 (@chrismeagher46) March 21, 2022

Most observers seem to believe that Ketanji Brown Jackson’s chances of confirmation are very good. Due to the Republicans’ so-called “nuclear option” filibuster reform in 2017, Supreme Court nominees only need 51 votes for confirmation (which, with Vice President Kamala Harris acting as a tiebreaker, the Democrats have). According to a recent Gallup poll, Jackson also enjoys significant public support.

"Initial public support for judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation to the Supreme Court ties as the highest Gallup has measured for any recent nominee." https://t.co/RzysdtgxP8

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 23, 2022

For the past few years, Supreme Court confirmation hearings have been a reliable way for Senate Judiciary Committee members to earn national media attention (then-Senator Kamala Harris famously trended in 2018 following her questioning of Justice Brett Kavanaugh) and so the hearings tend to produce more memes than other legislative proceedings. As the hearings continue this week, expect more viral tweets and partisan squabbling.