Feminist icon in the United States, Ruth Bader Ginsburg deserved a documentary. On the occasion of the release of "RBG" on October 10, director Betsy West tells us more about one of the most influential women in the world.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 85, 1m82 tall, sits on the US Supreme Court since 1993, appointed by Bill Clinton. And she is the greatest rebel of contemporary America. Since her post, this pioneer of women's rights is fiercely opposed to the discriminatory, sexist, racist and homophobic policies of the Trump Presidency.
Rediscovered by the general public, Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become the idol of the Democratic youth, in idolatry since the end of the second term of Barack Obama. His firm face, which embodies the rigor, is displayed on placards, T-shirts, mugs or tote-bags. His dissent brought him into pop culture.
The judge is the subject of an exciting documentary, RBG, aired in the cinema since October 10. Meeting with co-director Betsy West, who talks about the most important elements of Ruth Ginsburg's life.
Feminist
"Ruth Bader Ginsburg, daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants, gifted student, has profoundly changed the legal landscape of America to the benefit of women's rights. She had to face many discriminations herself. Starting with his studies at Harvard where the dean asked the arrival of each of the 9 women in his class, why they took the place that a man could have occupied. Major of his promotion to Columbia in the 60s, no cabinet will want to hire him. "
pleading
"From 1972 to 1978, Ruth Bader Ginsburg pleaded at the Supreme Court six times against sex discrimination. She wins five victories that shake society. In her first -or historical - speech, she recounts that she had the impression of being in the shoes of a teacher who had to teach men that discrimination existed: "It was necessary to make these men who love their wives understood. who protect their wives, that they prevented them from having what they had: power. That was the decisive point. "
It was necessary to make those men who love their wives, who protect their wives, understand that they were preventing them from having what they had.
Supreme Court
"She is the second woman to sit on the Court (appointed in 1993). Perfectionist and workaholic, at the height of his meter 55, Ruth Bader Ginsburg always favors consensus. If compromise is impossible in this more and more conservative institution, she does not hesitate to make the voice of dissent heard. "
Abortion
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has not made a career out of her commitment to the right to abortion, but is deeply convinced that women must have the right to choose. At the time of her induction to the Supreme Court, she recalled this fundamental right. "
Kiki
"His nickname since elementary school. Her oldest friends describe her as a calm, reserved and already charismatic child. They remind you that if you thought she was not paying attention to what you said, she was still listening. In fact she did not answer immediately. "
Celia Bader
"Ruth Bader loses her mother at 17. The latter had a huge influence on her life. She regularly talks about the advice she gave him: "Be a lady, be independent" ["Be a woman, be independent", nd]. This meant that one should not allow oneself to be overwhelmed by aggression and that she had to rely on her alone. During her long career, Ruth will never raise her voice to impose herself, it is always through an extremely rigorous intellectual work that she will find the arguments to convince. "
Marty
"She always said that she would not have had the same life without her husband. A New York-based tax expert, he has always supported his wife's career, even going so far as to take care of children, especially by taking possession of the kitchen! He was ahead of his time, a kind of feminist husband model for his time. "
Donald Trump
"In the last US presidential election, Ruth Bader Ginsburg strongly criticized the candidate Donald Trump, but he was criticized. Many felt that it was not his place as a member of the Supreme Court to make political comments. "
Icon
"'' Notorious RGB '' refers to the famous rapper Notorious B.I.G., and so the nickname is the younger generation. This 85-year-old grandmother has become a rock star on the Internet. My favorite quote is '' you can not spell Truth without Ruth '' She never sought this notoriety but it amuses her. She sees the opportunity to convey the essential message that justice and the constitution are the guarantees of our democracy. "