An underlying conflict within the Supreme Court was partially abstained as Sonia Sotomayor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg joined the system in 1954 and 1993. Although their oath of office resembles a major breakthrough in law, there is still no doubt that the conflict of ethnic and gender diversity and the need for diverse, experienced members within the Supreme Court is a problem that should be addressed by society within the next few years. From past events, such as Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and consistently throughout history, it is perceived that problems in our justice system are addressed when people come together as a society in resistance in want for change. Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s …show more content…
As a nation, we discuss the notion of equality of race, gender, wealth, and representation, but with identity politics, and politics in general, it easily allows people to separate in distinct groups. The classical liberal view of the equality of opportunity is the concept that all individuals are open to same set of circumstances to achieve the same goals. However, in the past the presence of discrimination has set restrictions against the minorities by always using legal recusants to block people out. As it was so for Sotomayor, people who are on the out had to find different ways to work around. “One thing that has not changed: to doubt the worth of minority students' achievement when they succeed is really only to present another face of the prejudice that would deny them a chance to even try. It is the same prejudice that insists all those destined for success must be cast from the same mold as those who have succeeded before them, a view that experience has already proven a fallacy ( p.245 ).” People, such as Sotomayor, from a disadvantaged background faced criticism and harsher circumstances, were not as easily open to all opportunities compared to others. The result of resentfulness towards the challenging and prohibitive conditions that previous generations encountered, …show more content…
Being instrumental in initiating the Women’s Right Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, Bader Ginsburg represents her current stance on women’s representation in high positions as she states, “For some reason, people repeatedly have asked RBG when she thought there would be enough women on the court. The question is asinine, her answer effective: 'When there are nine” in the book Notorious RBG ( ). This statement was based on the scarcity of diversity in the U.S. Supreme Court, as there are only three women in U.S. Supreme Court justices compared to holding majority of white men and one African American man currently represented. Although the majority of legal barriers to women’s equality have been eliminated, “women still remain the most underrepresented group in Congress and the state legislatures” ( 171 ). Despite the lack of racial and gender diversity, the Supreme Court plays a large policymaking role as they take part in giving the public population opportunities to seek readdress for ongoing, recurring
On February 21, 1936 is when the strongest woman in the supreme court changed court history. Her name is Barbara Jordan. I chose Barbara Jordan because when she lost a campaign or had less votes than anyone else she never stopped. Also she was a very educated and powerful woman. This paper will present important career and biographical information about Jordan.
Almost everybody in their life has faced challenges and adversity, but not many have been able to overcome their differences and turn it into something beneficial. In the passages, "Source 1: Ruth Bader Ginsburg" and "Source 2: Sonia Sotomayor," they include a character that had to overcome difficult moments in their life. Both Justices Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor faced obstacles that ultimately led to something positive. Justice Ginsburg had many difficulties in her life that she turned into something good about herself. In the passage, "Source 1: Ruth Bader Ginsburg," it states, "Imagine graduating top of your class in law school, only to be turned down for several jobs because you are a woman."
In Sonia Sotomayor’s speech “A Latina Judge’s Voice”, delivered at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law in 2001, Sotomayor analyzes her life growing up as a Puerto Rican woman in New York with immigrant parents. She incorporates various examples of how her traditional background has remained with her in New York, while also explaining to law students how she has stayed uneducated in different areas of her culture. The contrast appears to be seen by Sotomayor including personal family traditions, while on the other hand, uncovering the identity confusion which is not commonly discussed. Sotomayor’s Puerto Rican-born parents immigrated to the United States during World War II with the hopes of seeking greater opportunity and advanced safety.
During a group discussion with my peers, someone told me that the only reason that Texas Tech admitted me was because of the color of my skin and that Tech had to meet a certain quota. However, being African American ultimately made me fight even harder to prove that my hard work was not based on the idea that someone owed me something. Shelby Steele an author, professor and a speaker on race relations, relates to me through his essay titled “The New Sovereignty.” Steele grew up in the Civil Rights Era and witnessed oppression, but he believes that oppression has led to entitlement. In the essay he explains that America has encouraged, instead of breaking down, the notion that grievance groups and minority groups feel entitled because of previous
During Justice Sonia Sotomayor nomination interrogative, she stated that, her background will never influence her judgement, but there are times where she has had consideration for his party since the law requires different results. She holdup herself on her earlier controversial statement that “wise Latino woman” saying that she was making a joke on the comment by O’Connor that a wise man and a wise woman would make the same judgment. With her experience with the liberal associates in high court, she was going to be a great team player. However, I believe the ideological and civic opinion can play a big role in the result of a case is affected by the judge of Supreme. Even though, liberal and conservative elective alliances on the court
The American Dream has never been available to minority citizens as easily as it is to American-born citizens. Affirmative action was first implemented around the year 1972, however it was not widely accepted or practiced. During this time society was just getting used to including women in higher education institutions so the concept of including minorities in higher education was almost non-existent. My Beloved World, by Sonia Sotomayor shows the challenges that a first generation, Puerto Rican, lower socioeconomic female had during this time. Through her autobiography she shows the struggles she faced throughout her life, focusing on her application to college, college experience and insight into her cultural background. My Beloved
For more than decades the court has continued to be pivotal in some of the biggest decisions for the social identity of America. Specifically noting that for many years the majority of Americans supported things that shaped the identity of American history (i.e. Slavery, Gay marriage, Sodomy, etc.). Erwin Chemernisky continues to examine whether the courts roles in major social issues have failed the American people or not. Erwin continues to explain that the supreme courts failures culminated together, are not only a failure for race issues in America, but also a failure to interpret the constitution effectively (21). These broad generalizations of the court flourish throughout his book, however, it is final assessment of the court that leaves the most to be contended with. Specifically noting that overall the court has done way more harm than good with regards to addressing minority issues an in wake of the warren court has continued to make flawed decisions in favor of the majority (53). This rhetoric must be addressed and analyzed by first looking to professor Erwin’s view of the courts take on minority, secondly analyzing his take on the court before and after the warren era and lastly addressing his support and analysis of the purpose of judicial review. Through this analysis it will become evident that Erwin Chemernisky has misinterpreted the supreme courts position as a protector of minority rights instead of the upholder and interpreter of the constitution and law.
Sommers, S. (2009, January 1). On the Obstacles to Jury Diversity. In www.thejuryepert.com. Retrieved November 29, 2014, from
It is questioned that individuals of distinctive of different groups has the ability to perform at the same level, if they are treated equally and given the same opportunity. In “The Fallacy of Fairness: Part II” Sowell uses a great example to explain the misunderstood concept. Sowell (20100 states “In the language of the politically correct, achievement is equated with privilege. Such verbal sleight of hand evades the question whether individuals ‘own priorities and efforts affect outcomes, whether in education or in other endeavors.” (p 8).
The blunders of the justice department paved the way for a minority female candidate to be elected for the first time. Therefore, some good came out of it. Last week’s lecture on prison reform, it all came down to police investigation and
In this essay i will examine how diverse judiciary works in a democratic and diverse society. Democracy has a strong expression on how laws interprets. Judiciary in a democratic and diverse society has bee a common and significant attention subject in England and Wales, in recent years due to need for more women judges. The Judicial appointments system was changed in 2006 in order to replace the old system of ‘tap on the shoulder’ and the ‘secret soundings’ Appointments Commission operate a clear, open and honest system based on applications and appointment, in order to increase diversity of those applying for judicial office. In 2011 , the House of Lords Constitution Committee held and inquiry into judicial appointments, which had put in more attention into the issue of judicial diversity. In 2013, the Crime and Courts
Over the years, judicial diversity has been an issue of concern for Wales and England. Reform initiatives and debates for judicial diversity are critical features of various common law jurisdictions. The country faces gender and ethnicity diversity as the major dimension of inclusiveness in the judicial system. Critics have raised general
There are three women on the Supreme Court, one of whom is Latina, and there is one black justice serving on the Supreme Court (Brown, 2016). This is a major issue. The United States, the “melting pot”, has an extreme lack of diversity in their court system. This is an issue that affects several aspects of society. Decisions made by judges will affect the lives of men, women, and their families. The decisions made by judges can also create law. Unlike political officials, the people do not always have the power to vote judges into their positions. Instead, the people hope that their peers with the power to affect the system choose a candidate that will fight for them. Often times, this does not happen.
Central to emancipatory politics is the concept of identity, which plays an equally important role in historical forms of exclusion and empowerment. Identity is a complex issue based upon interaction of class, gender, race, and ethnicity. Thus, during the larger part of the U.S. history, minorities have been relegated to the marginal position with respect to their ability to participate in the political life of society. For instance, prior to the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1869, African Americans were denied the right to vote in political elections. Ever after 1869, many Southern states made a concerted effort to suppress the voting rights of African-Americans until the Civil Rights movement culminated in the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This example illustrates how one’s racial or ethnic identity effectively determines one’s social class in those instances when the dominant ideology seeks to marginalize and disenfranchise specific minorities. Indeed, the same can be said of the connection between gender identity and class: in a society, which institutes an invisible ceiling barring female employees or gay employees from being promoted to key professional positions, one’s gender identity effectively determines one’s belonging to a subjugated social class.
Today’s society is blinded by racial issues. As a whole, the United States is thought to be a land of freedom whether it is of speech or living. Our freedom was fought for on the fourth of July in 1776, or so a fraction of Americans thought. Jamie Dimon and Freeman Hrabowski refute the idea that every race in America is indiscriminately free in the article “Four-year College Isn’t Only Path to Career Readiness: Column.” Every race faces a new challenge every day.