Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Judge Sonia Sotomayor have distinctively different views rooted in their experiences growing up as minorities in America. Sotomayor tends to favor affirmative action programs and racially-conscious law, while Thomas consistently fights against it. If Sotomayor is confirmed, it is likely that the two justices would be at extreme opposites for many decisions – and this is the way it should be.
As a someone who supports racially-conscious programs that deliberately seek to reverse disparities (call it affirmative action if you want), I still recognize the importance of having a diverse set of perspectives within the minority vote, which Justice Thomas provides. Not all African-Americans believe in affirmative action, but it is important to note that most do.
A 2003 poll done by the Pew Research Center found that 86% of “nonwhites” favored affirmative action. In a more recent Quinnipiac poll earlier this June, 78% of Black respondents said they “think affirmative action programs that give preferences to blacks and other minorities in hiring, promotions and college admissions should be continued.”
Although Justice Thomas’ views may be held by some, it is not representative of the majority opinion. Sotomayor will provide a perspective that is more aligned with polling results for the minority population. Our highest court should be representative of the American population and not just skewed to interpret the Constitution as the sitting president pleases.
The minority voice is only going to be strengthened with the addition of Sotomayor’s to the already vocal Thomas’, each making decisions involving race and ethnicity from a place of first-hand experience as no other justice can.
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