Sonia Sotomayor's Latina Woman vs. White Man Comment

The media has been buzzing over Judge Sonia Sotomayor, ever since Pres. Obama nominated her to the Supreme Court.

Recently, some comments she made back in 2001 at a lecture at UC Berkley have come under fire. She said, “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."

When taken out of context, the statement can be misunderstood. However, here's her full quote:

“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…each day on the bench I learn something new about the judicial process and about being a professional Latina woman in a world that sometimes looks at me with suspicion. I am reminded each day that I render decisions that affect people concretely and that I owe them constant and complete vigilance in checking my assumptions, presumptions and perspectives and ensuring that to the extent that my limited abilities and capabilities permit me, that I reevaluate them and change as circumstances and cases before me requires. I can and do aspire to be greater than the sum total of my experiences…”

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich wrote on Twitter a response to the quote: "White man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw. Latina woman racist should also withdraw."

What's more interesting is why people are beating up Judge Sotomayor for her comment, but not Judge Samuel Alito. During his confirmation in 2006, Judge Alito said this:
“When a case comes before me involving, let's say, someone who is an immigrant…I can't help but think of my own ancestors…When I get a case about discrimination, I have to think about people in my own family who suffered discrimination because of their ethnic background or because of religion or because of gender. I do take that into account.”

So why isn't anyone making a big fuss over Judge Alito's comments?

What do you think?

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Comment by Gabe on May 29, 2009 at 1:10am: The GOP is knit picking every decision Pres. Obama makes. Its really getting old! Republican John Coryn gave thumbs up on this nomination. Her statement clearly said that she will use her experiences as a latino woman to help her render decisions. If she feels that her latino background gives her better judgement than a white male. Thats her opinion. Everyone uses their past experiences to make choices in their personal lifes and at work. I dont believe this woman is racist. J. Edgar Hoover was a real racist and we have his name on prominent buidlings?

Comment by LARRY MATTHEWS on May 28, 2009 at 10:38pm: they are seeing the writing on the new world order: We've lost control and nobody cares. Change has come get use to it you has been.

Comment by Ivy on May 28, 2009 at 9:44pm: Honestly, if Obama had chosen a White Male, the Republican party would STILL find a way to pick him apart and dispute The President's decision. Please, oh please stop giving these petty desperately bitter men the spotlight and even dignifying their ignorance with talking about them or their comments. I give Kudos to the newly appointed judge not because of race but because she is a WOMAN!!! How magnificent that is for our daughters, sisters and younger generation of up and coming women to see!!! Peace & Blessings

Comment by Cee on May 28, 2009 at 9:42pm: Even someone remotely close to you can make a comment and you can end up under fire, e.g. Reverend Wright's Comment about Barack understanding what it is to be black in America and what he said about God and America. I think we spend way too much time finding fault and becoming offended with one another.

Comment by Tim on May 28, 2009 at 9:01pm: As a Republican. I am already ashamed of the way in which many from my party will attack Judge Sotomayor. I don't agree with her on the 2nd Amendment. Which shows some of what she is talking about. As a Woman growing up in the area she did. There was a lot of gun play. I am sure. So of course she is going to be against guns. Many women are period. But I completely agree with her view of how. Unless you have gone through it. How can you judge it. She will get confirmed. She will be the First Latina on the Bench. We will all be better Americans for it.

Comment by Rylcash on May 28, 2009 at 7:46pm: Any Supreme Court nominee, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian or otherwise are all required to do one thing....interpret the Constitution as it applies to the decisions of the legislative branch The nominee's experiences and life's lessons should have little to no bearing on the decisions they render from the bench. Of course, we know this is almost impossible due to the interpretive
judges being considered over the last quarter century.

Comment by Tara on May 28, 2009 at 7:41pm: This is being blown out of context by white men, who don't have a clue about what it means to be a minority or a woman. The rules are made by priviledged white men, which is why we have so much racism. They make decisions based on their experiences and their own self interest, and be damned with anyone else who doesn't fit into their box.

She is basically saying the same thing. She makes decisions based on her experiences as a poor Latina who was able to come up through the ranks, and because of that, I believe she would be excellent because she doesn't see through narrow, priviledged, white glasses. She has been on many sides of the fence and I think she would fair. I completely understand what she is saying.

Comment by Renaissance KID & Akira on May 28, 2009 at 7:23pm: Newt Gingrich wrote on Twitter a response to the quote: "White man racist nominee would be forced to withdraw.

Supreme Court descisions have serious impact on the entire nation.
1857 when the Supreme Court made that racist ruling "Dred Scott"; It took the Civil War and the 14th Amendment to rid crazy ruling.
Lets not talk about the other racist ruling 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson it was Ok to have a black & white bathroom. What's Up with that? I can go on and on. . . . . .

America is such a diversified Country and we need Diversified Leaders Sorry Newt Gingrich and Friends who feel other wise.

Newt Gingrich crying because a woman saying . . . . . . . "a white male who hasn't lived that life." Well Boo Hooo, I cry for Newt Gingrich and friends whose feeling is hurt . . . . . I am sorry if the truth hurts.

Example; being a Man, I have not Walk in a Woman shoe. . . . It takes a woman to "elighten" me to try to understand what they go through. We all need that Elightenment

Judge Sotomayor's remarkable life:
* She was born and raised in a South Bronx housing project.
* SHE has three-decade career as a prosecutor, judge, private litigator and law professor.
* PLUS . . . She would be the first Latina ever to serve on the high court.

Comment by Toni Brown on May 28, 2009 at 6:18pm: Let's shake it up in here a little. What if a white woman said, " I would hope that a wise white woman, with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a black male who hasn't lived that life...

Come on, it does sound a little skewed. Kinda like when Obama made the slip about people and their guns. Do I think we should judge her solely on this statement? No. But, let's take a realistic look at the statement. She shouldn't have said it. With that being said, perhaps we hold politicians, judges and leaders to a standard of colorblindness, fairness and ambiguity that can not possibly be lived up to. She's a proud Hispanic woman why does that almost always translate to she can't be impartial in the eyes of some?

Comment by Jazzyuc on May 28, 2009 at 6:15pm: Who would have ever thought that whites would play the race card? We will never know all the "hand bills" that were created during James Eastland tenure as Senator during the civil rights era that were straightforward genocide on the minority race.
Once again, we have to come together to stop this foolishness and support the President on his wonderful choice. No longer can the good-ole-boy system prevail.

Sonia Sotomayor's Latina Woman vs. White Man Comment

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