Judge Sotomayor

In my previous career I was a law professor and taught Constitutional Law. So, I follow closely Supreme Court developments and am interested in President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill Justice Souter’s seat when he retires.  The public already has heard and read a great deal about the Judge in just the past few days. And, to be sure, there will be ongoing discussions and debates about the nomination.

There is one aspect of the discussion, however, that I find somewhat disturbing. Some have argued that she is not “qualified” to be on the Court, suggesting that she was nominated only because she is a Hispanic woman. Judge Sotomayor graduated from Princeton University, summa cum laude, and from Yale Law School where she was an editor of the prestigious Yale Law Journal. She has served as a Judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She has taught as an adjunct at both New York University School of Law and Columbia Law School. She attained these remarkable achievements despite life challenges that included the death of her father at an early age as well as being raised by a single mom, living in a housing project, and facing discrimination along the way.

Others can debate whether Judge Sotomayor has the correct judicial philosophy for the Court. But, let’s take off the table any discussion about whether she is qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice.  If she does not have the requisite qualifications, who does?

Comments

[Stephanie M. Sacco]

I am so proud that Nazareth's president is someone of such clear and objective thought, and who would think to share his views on a national issue on the website. I hope that Nazareth students will follow suit in learning about their world and sharing their ideas and opinions in such a way.

[Dr. Monica Weis SSJ]

Thanks, Daan, for that distinction. When the political dust is swirling, it is sometimes difficult (and most times frustrating) to sort out the real issue--and articulate it to the folks creating the dust.

[Roxana Alexander]

I totally agreed. My father died when I was young and I was left with my mother and 15 year old sister. I worked hard to help them out. I know how hard it is to overcome harships, but I'm a true believer that if you keep trying you will end up finding the answer to your prayers

[Kristina]

I think that people believe she is not qualified because of her tendencies to legislate from the bench. Also, the firefighter incident did not help either- those comments she made certainly seem as those she is racist- not one of the qualities I hold in high esteem for someone serving on our highest court of justice.