Notorious R.B.G.
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About
Notorious R.B.G. is a social justice blog depicting former 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 books.
Origin
Notorious R.B.G.[3], named as a nod to hip-hop performer The Notorious B.I.G., was created on Tumblr in June 2013 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]
Spread
Since its creation, 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, however the most popular posts only occurred two years after the creation of the blog; on January 20th, 2015, a post titled "Notorious Hug" gained 3,348 notes.
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]
Ginsburg's positive reaction to the blog drew criticism from legal scholars who argue that the added personal publicity impinges on Ginsburg's duty to remain impartial on the bench.[2]
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]
Action Figure
On June 5th, 2018, FCTRY launched a Kickstarter [18] for a Ginsburg action figure. The figure is designed to resemble the judge, including several of her signature physical characteristics, such as wire-rimmed glasses, pulled-back hair, silk gloves, jabot and more. Within three days, of the launch, the project received more than $146,000 in pledges, surpassing its $15,000 goal.
Biography
In January 2015, New Your Magazine's The Cut[12] 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."[13]
Documentary
On May 4th, 2018, a documentary, RBG, was released in the United States. The film received a 94% "certified fresh" rating on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
Search Interest
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.
[18] Kickstarter – Ruth Bader Ginsburg Action Figure by FCTRY
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