And the flood of Sotomayor coverage continues. But for good reason. This montage beckons attention to the type of sexism and racism that still pervades the minds of many in our country. It is still allowed to flood our media and to influence young minds everywhere. The ideology supporting these ignorant, xenophobic (which is ironic considering Sotomayor was born and raised in the Bronx) rally cries against Sotomayor’s nomination are only working to maintain inequities embedded in America’s systemic racism.
The discussion taking place on major media outlets today ignores Sotomayor’s credentials. By most standards, Sotomayor’s educational and professional background afford her a seat on the Supreme Court with relative ease. Unfortunately in today’s day and age, in today’s white patriarchy, Sotomayor’s cultural background and gender are detrimental. In the video above, you hear men claiming that her menstrual cycle will serve as an obstacle for her ability to think logically.
Instead, it’s this blatant ignorance that prevents these media heads from thinking logically. Those so quick to demonize Sotomayor for her self-identification as a Latina woman rarely can detach themselves from their own privileges of race and gender.
It’s important to take a critical look at how our media functions. It is highly influential in our interpersonal interactions and it is also a microcosm that gives the everyday person a peek into how our larger institutions and systems function. It is representative of America as it functions on both a micro and a macro level. Complacency in fighting against these destructive ideologies only allows for the maintenance of systemically implemented inequities amongst people who because of race, gender, sexual preference, age, physical ability, socioeconomic status are considered “different”.
-Emerald Maravilla
