Sworn-in , Oregon's Very First "Afrikan-American" Supreme Court Judge

PDX in the Now~Reality in Consciousness
To keep the family abreast with the occurring events around and inside of the not so diverse Portland community, but with new attention to history being made here today gives us something to talk about and keep on course with.  Judge Adrienne Nelson is the first Afrikan- American to serve on the Oregon Supreme Court, or any appellate court in Oregon.  I was curious to know more about her background, especially if she was contributing to the community in some way. I mean after all, she could be “coonin” for all we know, but her history working in courts and being discriminated against in high school will show that Jude Nelson’s unapologetic resilience is historically important to take note of here.

Judge Adrienne Nelson was sworn in yesterday afternoon, January 9, 2018 to serve on the Oregon Supreme Court system.  After the Justice Lynn Nakamoto, Judge Nelson will be the first person “of color” to serve on the state’s highest courts.  I find the significance in her story as a possible breakthrough into a corrupt justice system, and that somehow the division and barriers amongst the highest courts is still being unhurriedly broken down today.

But when someone expresses, “that’s Good” and gives a nod, just remember that Judge Nelson is the FIRST indigenous woman today to serve on the highest courts! So, before you nod your head in relief, and state “that’s Good”, we still have an exceptionally long way to go. That is for the people who still rely on the justice system for that matter.  Her unfolding story can still show us what perseverance looks like today.
Judge Nelson grew up in Arkansas when her interest in law began.  She was at the top of her class in 1985 as a senior in high school, but the school decided to give the honor as valedictorian to the student (European) with the next highest GPA.  The high school’s “student of color” threatened a walkout, and a renowned valedictorian walked the stage.  But what had really occurred was that Judge Nelson’s mother, Jacquelyn Brown, sued the school district in order for her to uphold the valedictorian honor.  Judge Nelson remained in Arkansas to earn her undergraduate degree. She obtained her law degree from the University of Texas. 

She moved to Oregon in the summer of 1994 immediately noting that the people were honest about the fact that there’s not a whole lot of diversity.  I’m so proud to say that the sistah took it upon herself to learn about Oregon’s racist past. As a matter of fact, she created a presentation that went back to the first documentation of someone of Afrikan decent in OR, from the 1500’s through the early 2,000’s.  She presented this piece to about 75 people at a major law firm. While I’m not sure how the law firm had responded to her presentation, but Judge Nelson stated here that “I think the conversation about race is so uncomfortable that we decide that we’re just not going to deal with it, we just shut down.  We have to get uncomfortable with the uncomfortable.”  I agree, with her assessment on this “swept underneath the rug” manner and behavior from certain individuals themselves.  For I do have a written chapter in my book, “The Traditional Modalities for Healing” in regards to the state of denial that lies within unhealthy human beings. Check out my blog expression on the chapter here .   http://www.realitynconsciousness.com/1/post/2017/12/denial-is-a-bh-really.html 

All the more, Judge Nelson performed 12 years on the trial bench and is a widely respected Civil Rights advocate.  Please check out her long resume here- https://ballotpedia.org/Adrienne_Nelson .  Check this interview out here  http://portlandtribune.com/go/42-news/383360-271763-adrienne-nelson-following-her-oath .  Peace to the Queen/Judge Adrienne Nelson with much respect, and
Power to the People,
 Peace!
 
Reality S.J Fields

Twitter- Reality @2pacnow
http://www.realitynconsciousness.com/journal 

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About the Author
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S.J is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Health & Wellness Consultant, Author of “The Traditional Modalities for Healing”, Blogger & owner of www.realitynconsciousness.com. In her Blogs, she enjoys writing Inspirational Tips about the utilization of Holistic Tools, such as Mindfulness, Awareness of the inner-self & its environment, weekly Affirmations for Sexual Abuse Survivors, & Afrikan Spirituality. She also loves reading, travel, fitness, & creating new vegan recipes.