"Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male"

Yeah, I was pretty startled when I read it. Perhaps we need to know the context, but on its own, it's a bizarre quote.

I'm not white and even I was pretty startled by the ignorance of that statement.

"I would hope that a wise white man with the richness of his experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion [as a judge] than a Latina woman who hasn't lived that life."

Said the bigot.

Want to see something magical? Switch "white man" and "latina woman" and it's suddenly not racist!

/sarcasm

• Capt K

Imagine if I said something like that and was quoted. Burning effigies and death threats anyone? That is one of the most inherently racist statements that I have ever heard. Dems blocked Estrada's nomination to a judgeship because he WAS Hispanic and they though Bush may make him a Supreme Court Justice....hmmm...the party of equality?

So what do you do? -I work for an investment banking firm. Oh okay; you are like my brother, he works for Edward Jones. -No, a college degree is required in my profession

i had to reread that quote when i read it this morning...a tad surprised there

But it's ok because she'll show "empathy" towards those who are disadvantaged and won't "base her decision on a footnote in an obscure ruling." God forbid a judge should use the Constitution to interpret the rule of law and not their feelings.

Latin girls love to get down.

She's talking about different views of how identity affects judging, esp. in race/gender discrimination cases. A lot of "wise" judges made errors regarding these cases (Plessy v. Ferguson). And how can a white man say that growing up as a white male widens his perspective on being a disfavored minority ('cause that's what her "wise Latino woman" speech was about)? The argument of "what if a white man said it" is rhetorical excess.

http://morningcereal.wordpress.com/ Morning Cereal.

As always the media and the righteous right taking things way out of context. Here is the link to the full speech:

http://www.law.berkeley.edu/4982.htm

Judge for yourself.

Sincerely, Da BroadStreetBully

"Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money."-Heist 2001

I find it interesting that Asians rarely cry about discrimination. In fact, Asians are not even in a race for a Supreme Court seat, although they make up only 5% of the US population.

BroadStreetBully, what makes me dislike her is the fact that she said "white" and not "Caucasian." Either stick with brown and white, or Latino and Caucasian.

Sorry if my post has offended anyone, but I just showed what happens by substituting few words. I just hope her decisions will be based on laws, and not her heritage.

Like I said, a lot of qualified judges have made bad decisions in the past regarding racial issues. If Sotomayor's background as a disadvantaged minority will help her in making decisions, then that should be held to a positive light. Her decisions WILL be based on laws, NOT her heritage, as anyone who makes decisions solely based on race (either way) is most likely a retard. Her background will save her from making a lot of mistakes that previous judges made. Every issue is more than black and white, you need a person who knows more than case studies, and law books. I might not agree on everything she says, I think she's certainly qualified academically.

http://morningcereal.wordpress.com/ Morning Cereal.

completely wrong in your interpretation. Long story short, race, experience, or any other factor SHOULD NOT play any part in a judges decision. A decision should be based on the laws/decisions preceeding it with the Constitution as a guide. When you introduce "empathy" and "life experience" you get someone who uses feelings and emotions to decide rather than cold hard facts. There's a reason why Justice is blind. No favorites, no race, no color, no bullshit.