Sotomayor’s Controversial Quote
Over the past week, Sonia Sotomayor — President Obama’s choice for U.S. Supreme Court justice — has been scrutinized intensely by various individuals, groups and media outlets.
In particular, one sentence she uttered back in a 2001 speech has received mixed reactions: “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.”
According to an article in The Daily Voice, the quote has prompted some to go to the extreme of calling her a racist. “Imagine a judicial nominee said, ‘My experience as a white man makes me better than a Latina woman.’ New racism is no better than old racism,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was quoted as saying in a blog.
Meanwhile, others have come to her defense, arguing that judicial diversity is important when deciding cases related to discrimination based on race and gender, the article noted.
What’s your opinion on the matter? If she were to be confirmed, would her background come into play when deciding cases?
In particular, one sentence she uttered back in a 2001 speech has received mixed reactions: “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.”
According to an article in The Daily Voice, the quote has prompted some to go to the extreme of calling her a racist. “Imagine a judicial nominee said, ‘My experience as a white man makes me better than a Latina woman.’ New racism is no better than old racism,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was quoted as saying in a blog.
Meanwhile, others have come to her defense, arguing that judicial diversity is important when deciding cases related to discrimination based on race and gender, the article noted.
What’s your opinion on the matter? If she were to be confirmed, would her background come into play when deciding cases?
Views: 6
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Christopher Wilkins on -
Background should mean nothing in becoming a Supreme Court Judge. If she is going to become a Supreme Court Judge, she should make every decision based upon what is written in the Constitution, not what ethnicity she is, her feelings, or anything else. I think Ms. Sotomayor has forgotten what her role is going to be as a Supreme Court Judge. The real question is not whether background should play a role as a Supreme Court Judge, the real question should be "is Ms. Sotomayor Supreme Court material?" I don't care whether she is a Latina or a woman; it really doesn't make much of a difference to me anyways.
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Permalink Reply by Vic Maurer on -
I understand why her statement has attracted so much attention. But IMO, much of the negative attention is undeserved.
Sotomayor, this Court, and this precise moment in time is exactly what the Constitution was designed for. If a wise Latina woman, a wise black man, and a wise white man all could reach the same consensus opinion, the Court would need only one judge. The Framers made provisions for nine judges. Even then, there was an understanding that different perspectives are necessary to "reach a better conclusion."
Sotomayor is competent, qualified, and she has shown herself to have the poise and experience necessary to serve. Her background is precisely why she and the other eight Justices on the Court have been chosen.
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