Thread: Rep. questions of Sotomayor border on racial harassment

Republican questions of Sotomayor border on racial harassment



It was to be expected that the senators grilling Judge Sonia Sotomayor during her Supreme Court confirmation hearings would bring up her "wise Latina" statement.


Judge Sonia Sotomayor during her confirmation hearings.

And it's not surprising that she would pull a "my bad" form of apology in explaining it away.

Yet, a couple of senators were intent on shaming Sotomayor in ever making the statement.

As Arizona's Sen. Kyle scolded:

...So here you're reaching a judgment that not only will it make a difference but that it should make a difference. You acknowledge that they made a big difference in discrimination cases but it took a long time to understand -- it takes time and effort. "In short, I accept the proposition that difference will be made by the presence of women and people of color on bench and my experiences will affect the facts that I choose to see. I don't know exactly what the difference will be in my judging but I accept that there will be some based gender and my Latina heritage."

You said that you weren't encouraging that. And you talked about how we need to set that aside, but you didn't in your speech say that this is not good. We need to set this aside. Instead you seem to be celebrating it. The clear inference is it's a good thing that this is happening.

So that's why some of us are concerned, first with the [?] [?] in his speech and then this article. It would lead someone to the conclusion that (a) you understand it will make a difference; and (b) not only are you not saying anything negative about that, but you seem to embrace that difference, in concluding that you'll make better decisions. That's the basis of concern that a lot of people have.

Judge Sotomayor needs to be given kudos for even following that rant.

Then it was North Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham's turn which proved difficult to watch not because he also made it a point to scold Sotomayor for her choice of words in the "wise Latina" statement, but repeatedly stooped to condescendingly shaming her on her statement in an unacceptable and repulsive manner.

The problem is that while hard questions were expected, the line of questioning forcing her to practically denounce the statement isn't seen as having anything to do with her qualifications as a Supreme Court justice. Rather, it hearkens back to a time in history, dare I say, when submission was beaten into a person of color.

That Judge Sotomayor has to sit there with a smile on her face and take the condescending insults is not just disrespectful to Latinos but women and people of color who have been historically subjected to this kind of authoritarian treatment.

There was no clearer sign that Sen. Graham relished his role as whipmaster over Sotomayor than in these statements:

You've got a judge who has been on a circuit court for a dozen years. Some of the things trouble me, generally speaking left of center, but within the mainstream, and you have these speeches that just blow me away. Don't become a speechwriter, if this law thing doesn't work out, because these speeches really throw a wrinkle into everything.

The ten-minute rule applies to everybody and that obviously you've accomplished a lot in your life, but maybe these hearings are time for self-reflection.

And the one thing that I've tried to impress upon you through jokes and being serious, is the consequences of these words in the world in which we live in. You know, we're talking about putting you on the Supreme Court and judging your fellow citizens.

And one of the things that I need to be assured of is that you understand the world as it pretty much really is. And we've got a long way to go in this country, and I can't find the quote, but I'll find it here in a moment -- the wise Latino quote.

"I would hope that a wise Latino (sic) woman, with the richness of her experience, would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male." And the only reason I keep talking about this is that I'm in politics. And you've got to watch what you say, because, one, you don't want to offend people you're trying to represent.

But do you understand, ma'am, that if I had said anything like that, and my reasoning was that I'm trying to inspire somebody, they would have had my head? Do you understand that?

SOTOMAYOR: I do understand how those words could be taken that way, particularly if read in isolation.

GRAHAM: Well, I don't know how else you could take that. If Lindsey Graham said that I will make a better senator than X, because of my experience as a Caucasian male makes me better able to represent the people of South Carolina, and my opponent was a minority, it would make national news, and it should.

Having said that, I am not going to judge you by that one statement. I just hope you'll appreciate the world in which we live in, that you can say those things, meaning to inspire somebody, and still have a chance to get on the Supreme Court.

Others could not remotely come close to that statement and survive. Whether that's right or wrong, I think that's a fact.

GRAHAM: Does that make sense to you?


You know what? If that comes of this hearing, the hearing has been worth it all, that some people deserve a second chance when they misspeak and you would look at the entire life story to determine whether this is an aberration or just a reflection of your real soul. If that comes from this hearing, then we've probably done the country some good.

The thing is, Sen. Graham obviously doesn't appreciate that Sotomayor has already done this country good with her service thus far on the bench. She, nor any other Supreme Court nominee needs the forgiveness of any U.S. Senator to achieve a seat on the court.

What every nominee needs is to be asked questions without being ridiculed or spoken to in a condescending manner. While the tone of the hearings has been civil, the statements from those Republican senators who are choosing to be "tough" have been far less.

But a civil tone can mask even the greatest of insulting behavior.

While the nation is witnessing a historic moment for the Latino community, it's also witnessing a display that borders on racism and is masked by congressional approval.

http://www.latinalista.net/palabrafinal ... .html#more

So this person is basically upset that the "wise latina" is being questioned regarding her racist statements?

Too bad! Why are these people the first to throw their latino herritiage in your face, but scream "racism" when they are called on it!!

Don't worry your "wise latina" can take it! She has been using her race her entire life as a centerpiece as to how she perceives the world around her. Granted, she is not used to being called on it (neither are you apparently), but this is the Supreme Court she wants to serve on you know!!

SOTOMAYOR: I do understand how those words could be taken that way, particularly if read in isolation.

Her words are her beliefs and have led to her racist actions, she is what she is and she does NOT BELONG IN THE POSITION!!!

I was actually shocked that Graham was that tough on her.

He's absolutely correct, if the "wise Latina" had been "wise White man" all hell would have broken loose.

No room for double standards on the Supreme Court.

Sotomayor is not a good choice. No doubt about that.

Dixie

admit it or not, ethnicities WILL be a factor in her decisions. She has already made that point clear. That is unacceptable. ALL persons on the bench must be impartial to ethnicity and religion. She will favor minorities without a doubt if and when such cases came up before her....

This blogger is a complete moron.

First, they think Senator Graham is in "North Carolina". Pretty bad when someone does not even know the correct state for the Senator they are bashing. Sure, we bash Senator Graham for his support of AMNESTY for illegal aliens and his support for the racist group La Raza!

That is what makes this so funny. Does anyone here believe that Senator Graham actually means what he is saying?

Is he really starting to learn? If he is, then we need to hear him drop his prior support for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Amnesty CIRA right away!

The tongue lashing he is receiving from these lefty bloggers is just a taste of what his life and the life of all Americans will be like if his CIRA passes.

W

I was also "shocked" that Graham was that tough on her. And while I do take some comfort in his tough line of questioning, (whereby he is 100% correct by the way), it will amount to nothing more than a dog and pony show if he ends up voting to confirm her.

She is no more qualified today than she was yesterday, simply because she was able to withstand a round of tough questioning, that quite frankly, she brought on herself.

I sure hope Graham's main concern is not to appear as if he's being tough on her in order to appease his constituents, and then voting to confirm her anyway. The vote is what I care about...

Unfortunately we are watching what will probably be the confirmation of the appointment of another Ruth Bader Ginsberg to the supreme court. Judge Sotomayer has refuted EVERYTHING she has ever said in speeches she has made. What does that tell you? It tells me that she has learned from her conversations with the Democratic party how to say just what people want to hear not what she truly believes. In other words she knows what is right but she will pursue her own agenda once she is confirmed. Just like our current POTUS.

If it sounds like a Duck, looks like a Duck, smells like a Duck, acts like a Duck, guess what? It’s a Duck.

Sotomaye already told us and showed us who and what she is, she has made several racist statements, her attitude confirms that she meant the statements and her most recent voting record even gives a stronger indication of what she stands for and it is not for the American people. Her most recent legal decision; She voted to change the firefighters test to further diversity rather than rewarding the rightful people.

I was surprised and deligted that Senator Graham Graham asked her legitimate questions, his point about a white person stating what she said was well-taken but we see in our country, that racism only applies when blacks or Hispanics are offended. Double standard alive and well in Obama's Communist Washington.

I think if they found a letter, written in her own handwriting, admitting to an affair with Osama and praising 9-11 she would still be confirmed.