Sotomayor, the first Latina justice on the Supreme Court, roamed around Brown University's Pizzitola Sports Center during an appearance Wednesday, posing for photos with students and frequently bringing the crowd to its feet as she spoke about gender inequality, affirmative action, weaknesses in the nation's legal system and her own upbringing in a Bronx housing project.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The most important role Americans have is being active, engaged members of their community, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor told a rapt audience at Brown University on Wednesday.
"The most important job anyone has is being a citizen ... and unless you undertake making your community a better place, you are a bystander in life," said Sotomayor, who became the nation's first Hispanic Supreme Court justice after being nominated by President Barack Obama, a seat she assumed in 2009.
Sotomayor's remarks came in a wide-ranging talk at Brown's Pizzitola Sports Center that touched on gender inequality, affirmative action, weaknesses in the nation's legal system and Sotomayor's upbringing as Latina raised in a housing project in the Bronx. She roamed the gymnasium and posed for photos with the dozen or so students who asked her pointed and probing questions.
One Latina student from Texas, who, like Sotomayor, is a first-generation college student, asked how she'd advise low-income, minority students who are branded by their classmates as affirmative action beneficiaries.
Sotomayor told of people questioning whether she, too, is the product of affirmative action. "Probably," she recalled saying, "but I've done more than you have ... I'm more deserving than you." Unlike privileged students with an excellent education, "affirmative action babies" have to struggle every day to catch up, she said.
"I carry it with pride," said Sotomayor, who embraced students and repeatedly brought the crowd to their feet in applause.
She urged women to take the lead in changing a culture rife with gender inequities.
"We still have to fight gender inequality. It still exists," she said, commenting that only one-third of federal judges are women.
She advised women, too, to be conscious of how they present themselves.
"It's cultural, the way we're taught to be less confrontational," said Sotomayor, a self-described assertive showboat. "You have to know when to get up and be loud and when you have to get up and speak softly."
One student asked what changes to the legal system are necessary to safeguard the civil rights of marginalized people.
The cost of providing good legal representation must be lowered to ensure that the rights of the underprivileged are protected in cases that involve child custody disputes, criminal matters and property, she said.
She observed that in her years of hearing cases, while some states have "fine, fine" public defenders, "There are some states where there is abysmal representation."
"It puts a sword in my heart," she said.
Another student pondered whether pursuing a career in law was a good call, given the high costs of law school.
"I love the law," Sotomayor said, adding "People go into the law because they want to help people with their relationships. Every single issue involves a relationship."
"Cost be damned," Sotomayor said. Still, she advised, "The answer is to find your passion first. Find what makes you happy ... It doesn't matter what you're doing. It matters if it's bringing you satisfaction."
Of the High Court grappling with cases involving technology and scientific advances, she said the justices approach those "carefully and slowly."
"It moves faster than the law does. It can move at light speed. We don't," she said.
She stressed the importance of strategic listening and realizing that others might value different matters of importance. "Put yourself in the other person's shoes. That's what I'm talking about."
Has it been challenging being the first Latina on the court? And how does that influence her rulings? Sotomayor said she is framed by being raised by a single mother, working as a prosecutor, defending Fortune 500 companies, not just being a Latina. "I am a amalgamation of every one of my life experiences."
Brown President Christina Paxson presided over the discussion, posing questions based on Sotomayor's book “My Beloved World.”
Sotomayor told the crowd three more books are soon to come, including one aimed at children with special needs such as diabetes, autism or ADHD.
"If you see someone who is different, ask them why. Let them tell you why ...," she said. "Appreciate that difference doesn't make you less."
— kmulvane@providencejournal.com
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On Twitter: @kmulvane