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For Hispanics, Sotomayor Cause for Cheers, Musing

Some call her 'Jackie Robinson'; others, no 'superhero'

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted May 27, 2009 8:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – For many Hispanics watching yesterday as one of their own was nominated for the nation's highest court, it was what one New York assemblyman calls “a Jackie Robinson moment" long overdue such a sizable voting bloc. For others, though, Sonia Sotomayor's Hispanic background doesn’t necessarily make her a “superhero,” a Colombian American tells the New York Times. “There’s not going to be this enormous outpouring of ethnic triumph,” a Latino author notes.

Still, he says, it’s a step in the right direction. As for political implications, the decision should give the president “breathing room” on immigration reform, says a Hispanic analyst. Some argued that the judge’s identity didn’t matter as America faces major hurdles. “Maybe at first, you’re like, ‘Oh, she’s Puerto Rican, cool,’ ” said a student. “After that, it doesn’t matter.”

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

President Obama announces federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor, right, as his nominee for the Supreme Court, Tuesday, May 26, 2009, in an East Room ceremony of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

In this May 2006 photo released by Hofstra University, Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz follows judge Sonia Sotomayor at university's 2006 commencement address in Hempstead, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hofstra University)

In this April 2003 photo released by the American Philosophical Society, Sotomayor receives the official handshake welcoming her into the organization from president Frank H. T. Rhodes. (AP Photo/American Philosophical Society, Linda Lloyd)

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She has the true Latino experience, not only in her last name. Look at her upbringing back East. It is an emotional story. - Mario Trujillo, president of the Mexican American Bar Association

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For Hispanics, Sotomayor Cause for Cheers, Musing