I actually don’t believe it necessary for the Vice President or a SCOTUS Justice to be any specific race or gender. I have concerns with the consequences of what is called a meritocracy, but there are certain appointments where I’d be more concerned with their qualifications than filling a supposed gap. Fortunately I do believe that KBJ was an immensely qualified federal judge and that Kamala Harris was a qualified politician. I also think there’s value in their unique perspectives in their positions. I don’t object to suggestions that race and gender shouldn’t be the basis for these decisions, but I do object that just because someone is a member of a particular group that they cannot also be qualified and capable.