About
Notorious R.B.G. is a social justice blog and cultural trend that depicts U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as a “badass,” gangster-like figure.[1] The trend has spawned a variety of macros, paraphernalia, and even books, but Ginsburg’s reaction to the notoriety has drawn criticism from legal scholars who argue that the added publicity impinges on Ginsburg’s duty to remain impartial on the bench.[2]
History
Notorious R.B.G.[3], named as a nod to hip-hop performer The Notorious B.I.G., was created on Tumblr in June 2015 by NYU law student Shana Knizhnik in support of Ginburg’s dissent in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down a portion of the Voting Rights Act.[1][4] The blog’s inaugural post quoted Ginsburg’s dissent:
“Throwing out preclearance when it has worked and is continuing to work to stop discriminatory changes is like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.”[5]
Since then, the blog has posted quotes, stories, photographs, artwork, image macros, and merchandise related to Ginsburg and many social justice causes with which she is associated. The blog has been reported by the Huffington Post[6], MSNBC[7], Politico Magazine[8], the Washington Post[9], TIME[10], and others. It was featured in the ABA Journal’s “8th Annual Blawg 100.”[14]
Merchandise
The first instance of Notorious R.B.G. merchandise was created by Tumblr user charlesdingusesquire on the same day as Knizhnik’s initial post.[11] In approximately one year, Knizhnik is reported to have sold thousands of T-shirts of various designs.[4] Previously, shirt-selling campaigns have been used to raise money for Planned Parenthood[15] and the Advancement Project[16]. Ginsburg admitted to personally having a large supply of the shirts,[10] and enjoys giving them to friends as gifts.[17]
Biography
In January 2015, New Your Magazine’s The Cut reported that Knizhnik is teaming up with MSNBC reporter Irin Carmon to write a Notorious R.B.G. biography. The book, entitled Notorious R.B.G.: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be “an unobjective and irreverent celebration of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life and role in the women’s movement.”[12][13]
Notable Examples
External References
[1]Slate – Justice LOLZ Grumpycat Notorious R.B.G.
[2]Jost on Justice – Ginsburg’s Celebrity Goes to Her Head.
[3]Notorious R.B.G. – Notorious R.B.G.
[4]New York University – Old School? Not Ruth Bader Ginsburg!
[5]Notorious R.B.G. – Shelby County v. Holder (2013) (Ginsburg, J., dissenting).
[6]Huffington Post – Ruth Bader Ginsburg ‘Notorious R.B.G.’ Tumblr Is Amazing.
[7]MSNBC– Meet the Supreme Court’s ‘Notorious RBG.’
[8]Politico Magazine – John Roberts’ Legacy Problem.
[9]Washington Post – Ruth Bader Ginsburg digs that whole Notorious R.B.G. thing.
[10]TIME– Ruth Bader Ginsburg Says She Has Quite a Large Supply of Notorious RBG Shirts.
[11]Notorious R.B.G. – RBG Y’all Shirt.
[12]The Cut – Notorious R.B.G. Gets Her Own Biography, From the People Who Made Her a Meme.
[13]ABA Journal – ‘Notorious RBG’ biography in the works will be co-authored by blog creator.
[14]ABA Journal – 8th Annual Blawg 100.
[15]Notorious R.B.G. – Fear the Frill Shirt.
[16]Notorious R.B.G. – I ♥ RBG Shirt.
[17]Gawker – Ruth Bader Ginsburg Gives Out ‘Notorious R.B.G.’ T Shirts like Candy.