As a man of so-called “mixed race” (black, white, and Native American), I do believe she took some swipes at men generally, and white men in particular. Yes, the comment about “wise Latina woman” is a slap at men. Suppose a Black man, a federal judge, had said the following:

“First, as Professor Martha Minnow has noted, there can never be a universal definition of wise. Second, I would hope that a wise Black man with the richness of his experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white female who hasn't lived that life.”

What do you think now? Still approve?

Let's continue. Judge Sotomayor says later on:

“For men lawyers, what does and should being an ethnic minority mean in your lawyering? For people of color and women lawyers, what areas in your experiences and attitudes do you need to work on to make you capable of reaching those great moments of enlightenment which other people of color and women in different circumstances have been able to reach.”

Doesn't sound so good, does it? Well, actually, I reversed the role of “men” and “people of color and women” here. Again, we have a swipe at men that she makes. Not something that a judge should be doing. And even here, her words lead me to believe that she views “men” as “white men”. Gee, I guess that Thurgood Marshall, who she references in her speech, wasn't “really” a man then, eh? Same for Johnnie Cochran, perhaps–not really a “man lawyer”?

A judge should never be advocating, even mildly, that anti-whiteness or misandry is in any way acceptable or even “understandable” in a judge. This is especially true when speaking to young law students who are still learning what's “OK” to do as far as the law is concerned. Not good.

- SYG