Sotomayor hearings expose racism
Meina Kaleyah
Issue date: 8/14/09 Section: Ed-Op
The consensus on Judge Sonia Sotomayor is still undecided. Philadelphia's El Sol has her image gracing their cover, proclaiming, "Sotomayor es Suprema," a little play on words on her newly-acquired title. The Latina is the third women to ever serve on the Supreme Court and the first Hispanic to ever reach such a high level in the federal judiciary system.
While this may appear to be yet another advancement in America's race relations, the resistance expressed by Republicans exposed a shortcoming that, until now, was cached behind indulging the Hispanic vote. The Second Amendment has become an issue of precedence among Republican conservatives. Many that represent states with gun-friendly legislation articulated their concerns during Sotomayor's confirmation hearings. According to Warren Rickey of the Christian-Science Monitor, "At one point Sen. Tom Coburn (R) of Oklahoma asked Sotomayor whether he had a right to self-defense"-Sotomayor responded with a stalwart, "That is an abstract question with no meaning to me." Coburn persisted, insisting, "That's what the American people want to know. Is it okay to defend yourself in your home if you are under attack?" Although she later defended the Second Amendment as a fundamental right, three-quarters of Republican senators explicitly stated their vote would be cast against Sotomayor.
Such a move indicates that race relations in America extend into the political arena only when beneficial to the party in question. The issue of gun rights is intrinsically tied to considerable regional culture in the United States. When cultural bulwarks are put in jeopardy, the focus on reinforcing racial ties is forfeited, and endeavors are instead centralized on preserving what is American.
However, the circumstances cannot be so quickly delineated. Sotomayor does not come without her own baggage. Her comments have indicated a racial and cultural superiority that alienate. At a speech given at UC Berkeley, Sotomayor asserted, "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." Although Sotomayor spent her childhood and adolescence in the projects of South Bronx, her remark remains inflammatory.
While this may appear to be yet another advancement in America's race relations, the resistance expressed by Republicans exposed a shortcoming that, until now, was cached behind indulging the Hispanic vote. The Second Amendment has become an issue of precedence among Republican conservatives. Many that represent states with gun-friendly legislation articulated their concerns during Sotomayor's confirmation hearings. According to Warren Rickey of the Christian-Science Monitor, "At one point Sen. Tom Coburn (R) of Oklahoma asked Sotomayor whether he had a right to self-defense"-Sotomayor responded with a stalwart, "That is an abstract question with no meaning to me." Coburn persisted, insisting, "That's what the American people want to know. Is it okay to defend yourself in your home if you are under attack?" Although she later defended the Second Amendment as a fundamental right, three-quarters of Republican senators explicitly stated their vote would be cast against Sotomayor.
Such a move indicates that race relations in America extend into the political arena only when beneficial to the party in question. The issue of gun rights is intrinsically tied to considerable regional culture in the United States. When cultural bulwarks are put in jeopardy, the focus on reinforcing racial ties is forfeited, and endeavors are instead centralized on preserving what is American.
However, the circumstances cannot be so quickly delineated. Sotomayor does not come without her own baggage. Her comments have indicated a racial and cultural superiority that alienate. At a speech given at UC Berkeley, Sotomayor asserted, "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." Although Sotomayor spent her childhood and adolescence in the projects of South Bronx, her remark remains inflammatory.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Raymond Carnation
posted 8/17/09 @ 11:37 PM EST
Hello Staff
My name is Raymond Carnation. I along with two other white Philadelphia Police Officer that opposed racism against African Americans in the Philadelphia Police Department was retaliated against and fired 1999. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 8/21/09 @ 2:52 PM EST
A truly horrible Op-Ed!
At it's best, this is poorly argued and clumsy; at it's worst, dangerous to the culture of our campus.
Ms. Kaleyah certainly has an opinion, it is an op-ed piece, and she believes that Republicans are racist. (Continued…)
meina
posted 8/25/09 @ 1:45 PM EST
did not make article title. get over it.
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