The New Republic ran an interview yesterday with the Notorious R.B.G—a nickname Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg herself approves, as reporter Jeffrey Rosen found out during an exchange about her, ehem, notoriety in popular culture.
Of course, Ginsburg is one of the most powerful people in the country, a fact which is not lost as she answers questions about her modus operandi as a justice, or which Supreme Court decision she would over rule. (Spoiler alert: It’s Citizens United)
While there is indisputable charm in lingering questions about Ginsburg’s exercise routine (after all, politicians and justices alike are celebrities in the United States), the most insightful part of the interview was when Rosen inquired about the status of Roe v. Wade, and the impact that would be had if the decision was overturned.
Ginsburg doesn’t think it will be overturned, but she is certain that in any circumstance, there is not enough attention on the consequences of class.
“The irony and tragedy is any woman of means can have a safe abortion somewhere in the United States. But women lacking the wherewithal to travel can’t. There is no big constituency out there concerned about access restrictions on poor women,” she said.
Later, speaking directly to young feminists, Ginsburg expressed regret that there is no Equal Rights Amendment, which would have made gender equality part of the constitution.
“One thing that concerns me is that today’s young women don’t seem to care that we have a fundamental instrument of government that makes no express statement about the equal citizenship stature of men and women. They know there are no closed doors anymore, and they may take for granted the rights that they have.”
The full length interview can be found here.
Photos via Yale and The New Republic.
