At Inauguration, Supreme Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Cowrie Shell Necklace Sent A Bold Message

Poised, powerful, and intentional, Justice Jackson sent a message with her main accessory of choice: a bold, layered cowrie shell necklace paired with matching earrings. Against her black ceremonial garb – and the backdrop of one of the most polarizing political moments in modern history – Ketanji’s necklace spoke volumes.

Ketanji reminded the world who she is: the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, unapologetic, unfazed, and unstoppable.

Why everyone’s talking about Ketanji Brown Jackson’s cowrie shells

Cowrie shells hold a deep historical and cultural resonance in Black and African heritage. These small, beautiful shells were once used as African currency, praised for their portability and resistance to counterfeiting. They symbolized wealth and power, and their significance extended beyond economics. The National Museum of African American History and Culture says cowrie shells were tied to spiritual protection and prosperity, often worn as pendants or amulets to ward off harm.

Today, we witnessed this history layered around the neck of the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court. Justice Jackson’s necklace wasn’t just beautiful; it was armor. It carried the weight of her cultural past and the silent rebellion. 

Justice Jackson didn’t stop at one cowrie shell. She layered them, creating a dramatic, almost regal effect. The shells curved around her neck and framed her crown of locks like an embellished shield. She looked flawless—but also about ready.

Ready for the scrutiny, the pressure, and the burden that comes with being a trailblazer. What better way to do that than with a touch of ancestral power? 

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s inauguration image goes viral – and we are here for it.

The images of Ketanji from the inauguration went viral almost instantly. Justice Jackson’s headshot—face card never declining—circulated across social media, with her loc’d crown glowing against the elegance of her cowries.

“This is America,” actress Natasha Rothwell captioned her repost of Ketanji, pairing it with the iconic Childish Gambino track. Comedian Loni Love also joined in, shouting out Jackson and highlighting the importance of the intentional accessory choice.

This moment didn’t happen in isolation.

Black women have made bold, quiet statements throughout this inauguration season, resisting conformity and demanding respect. Michelle Obama and Representative Ayanna Pressley’s decisions to skip the events were a stark reminder that sometimes, not showing up can be its own kind of protest. The greater context of the inauguration falling on Martin Luther King Day also has meaning for many.

Further, cowrie shells have been used by Black women to make bold fashion choices many times. While slaying BET’s 2022 Awards, Sistas star Novi Brown wore a dress covered in the shells.

 

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Social media praised Novi’s fit for femininity, style, and heritage. We do the same today.

Black women everywhere paid attention to Ketanji’s Inauguration fashion choices. Amidst adversity, Sis spoke of history, identity, pride, and excellence without saying a single word.

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