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All About Sonia
(Page 2 of 4)
WHAT IF ANDREW CLINE WEREN'T WHITE?
Re: Andrew Cline's What if Sotomayor Were
White?
As a woman I find Andrew Cline's column on Sonia Sotomayor offensive, as is his institutional hubris as a white male who has enjoyed all the privileges that go along with that status. Those of us who are female, or even more so minority and female, live with institutional discrimination daily. In the history of the Supreme Court there have been TWO WOMEN on the bench. That is shocking, and utterly offensive in a nation that is 51 percent female. Why can't men understand that? What is it you think you are protecting by writing statements such as this:
"Sonia Sotomayor might have been discriminated against in her life, but she never suffered the pervasive institutional discrimination Thurgood Marshall did, and as far as the public record shows the only bigotry she has experienced is the soft bigotry of low expectations being applied to her right now."
I write this as an open letter to white men in this country. Get over it. Your power base is shrinking, and it's about time that it did. For too long you have held closely the reins of power, and now that the 21st century is upon us, and we have the opportunity to greater advance ourselves, we all deserve a share of the pie. Stop your own brand of bigotry against accomplished women.
To Andrew Cline I say personally, you haven't a clue of what discrimination is until you've had to wait in a bathroom line for 20 minutes because there are only two stalls for twice as many (women) customers. You don't know what discrimination is until you see yourself working circles around your superior, a white male who holds his position simply because of a glass ceiling against women -- and you make less than he does even as you work 20% harder. These are the realities of my life as a middle-aged, professional woman. And there are many women like me to whom your column is simply a reminder of what we put up with daily, and why it has to change.
I am tired of the bigoted yammering against Sotomayor. In the
words of Anton Scalia, "Give me a Break."
-- Jane Fuller
Question: does the nominaton of Harriet Miers say anything about
how the right views the role of the courts in this country? I
must have missed that piece when you wrote it, back in the good
ol' days.
-- Jeff Calvin
Shiremanstown, Pennsylvania
Thank you so very much for giving voice to the likes of Andrew Cline. As a progressive, it is very comforting to hear the shrill cries of a wounded and dying beast.
What if Cline could think?
It would say a lot about the right, and it's chances of being
relevant in ten years...
-- Richard May
POETIC JUSTIC
Re: John Tabin's Sonia Souter Left:
Another neat analysis from Mr. Tabin, but I did find his last sentence amusing in a self-flagellating way.
"It is not, however, much of a reason for committed originalists in the Senate to support her confirmation -- at least if they apply Obama's own standard."
This is another time when we thank the Hindu gods for the precious gift of karma and someone (I don't know who) for the almost equally priceless gift of "The Law of Uninintended Consequences."
Her confirmation or defeat is not going to come down to "reasons" or "standards."
Comments
Leave a Comment
Michael L. Hauschild| 6.1.09 @ 6:48AM
If you do not care about the flood of illegal immigration, if you choose to ignore or not implement the laws of the land in dealing with such enablers or perpetrators, and you still insanely expect to be elected by catering to the group that is franchising those who are simply better at breaking the law, then by all means use “kid gloves” on any SCOTUS nomination who represents both. Oh, and while you are at it spend us out of debt, let the government build our vehicles, and get the earth to spin the opposite direction so we can reverse global warming.
Tim| 6.1.09 @ 10:55AM
Speaking of Social Workers.
It is one thing for an activist "Social Worker" to be elected President of the USA. Afterall, he or she has to run for re-election in four years and the public can decide to keep or throw the person out of office at that time.
It's a whole other matter to appoint an "activist" Social Worker to the Supreme Court where the tenure is for life.
Being proud of where you come from is one thing and should be celebrated but it should never be used to even the score for past wrongs like when Blacks were forced to sit in the back of the bus or Hispanics refused a job because of their background.
Racism, committed by anyone including that which is committed my a minority is still racism!
IMKessel| 6.1.09 @ 12:15PM
Mr. Schoenberg,
The difference between Alito’s statement and Sotomayer’s is the former was stating he would use his experience for a basis in judgment while the latter disallows and devalues the judgment of “other” because it is not likes hers. One spoke of individual thoughtfullness and the other reflects "group think." The difference is subtle but substantial.
Sue| 6.1.09 @ 1:09PM
To Jane Fuller: Sounds to me as though you are full of yourself; just because you are a woman doesn't entitle you to the "right" to trash anybody. If you really think you're worth more than the "white male" why don't you strike out on your own and prove it. Does he have seniority? I guess so. That doesn't count for anything in your world though does it? Unless, of course you're the one with the seniority. Teachers, nurses, etc?
And, as far as the "wage" discrepancy, the Lilly Ledbetter law should be venue for you. Oh, let's see - you can wait 20 years or more then complain.
Yes, women were "discriminated" against in the past, but for those of the younger generation to hold onto this so that they may seek revenge against all "white males" is sick and some may even say "emotionally" troubling.
Today I see where women get full scholarships to college, rent and day care when they have children out of wedlock, free tutors, free health care for themselves and their children, hiring preferences for positions, (even SCOTUS), and on and on and on. They are still bellyaching! Give me a break!
If they are REALLY better than a man, take away all of the free stuff and let them prove it. With 51% of the Country being female, just think of how much we're missing out on!!!
ds80| 6.1.09 @ 2:00PM
Let's play the Jane Fuller bean counting game!
"In the history of the Supreme Court there have been TWO on the bench"
(a) left-handed
(b) midgets
(c) red-heads
(d) dyslexics
(e) deaf-mutes
(f) ...
'coz, as we all know, in the Liberal world it's only appearance, not qualification, that counts.
Daisy| 6.1.09 @ 11:59PM
Sue--you absolutely rock, girl!! I don't want the whiny, self-pitying Plain Janes to speak for me either. Conservative Women unite!
s| 8.20.09 @ 3:59AM
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