I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences.
Sonia SotomayorRead
I want to state upfront, unequivocally and without doubt: I do not believe that any racial, ethnic or gender group has an advantage in sound judging. I do believe that every person has an equal opportunity to be a good and wise judge, regardless of their background or life experiences.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Judgment should be based on merit, not background.
In this quote, Sonia Sotomayor asserts her belief that all individuals, regardless of their racial, ethnic, or gender background, possess the capacity to be fair and wise judges. She emphasizes the importance of equality in the opportunity to make sound judgments, suggesting that personal experiences and backgrounds do not dictate one's ability to judge wisely.
Themes
JudgingEqualityWisdomOpportunityJustice
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on diversity in the judiciary, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of equal opportunity.
More from Sonia Sotomayor
All quotes →This wealth of experiences, personal and professional, have helped me appreciate the variety of perspectives that present themselves in every case that I hear.
Sonia SotomayorRead
I was fifteen years old when I understood how it is that things break down: people can't imagine someone else's point of view.
Sonia SotomayorRead
The truth is that since childhood I had cultivated an existential independence. It came from perceiving the adults around me as unreliable, and without it I felt I wouldn't have survived. I cared deeply for everyone in my family, but in the end I depended on myself.
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As you discover what strength you can draw from your community in this world from which it stands apart, look outward as well as inward. Build bridges instead of walls.
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There are uses to adversity, and they don't reveal themselves until tested. Whether it's serious illness, financial hardship, or the simple constraint of parents who speak limited English, difficulty can tap unexpected strengths.
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