Embrace Diverse Schools

Judge Sotomayor will be confirmed as a Supreme Court justice because she is just what we need on the court – a smart, thoughtful, and experienced juror. It’s unfortunate, however, that she had to defend her impartiality as a judge by pulling back from her comments that a wise Latina woman would make good decisions. Of course our life experiences impact the prism through which we would view “facts” of a case. Otherwise there would be no need for more than one Supreme Court Justice – everyone would see a case the same way.  Clarence Thomas’ life experiences lead him to view cases before him a certain way, as do Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s and John Roberts’.  To inspire discussions among the justices that are deep and thoughtful, we need jurists with diverse backgrounds.  And that certainly includes a wise Latina woman, who should not have to make excuses for asserting that her experiences will enhance the court.  Research shows that diverse groups reach better decisions.  Case closed.