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Similar Lives Led Sotomayor, Thomas Down Different Paths

On and off the bench, they often work at cross-purposes

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 7, 2009 11:29 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The lives of Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas have parallels—humble beginnings, fatherless childhoods, Yale Law, affirmative action—but their conclusions are contrary. “For the first time, the Supreme Court would include two minority judges, but ones who stand at opposite poles of thinking about race, identity, and opportunity,” Jodi Kantor and David Gonzalez write in the New York Times.

Sotomayor celebrates her Latina heritage and has spent her life building affirmative action programs. Thomas, meanwhile, has spent his trying to undo them, viewing himself as a scarred survivor of a disingenuous program. But plaguing both has been the nagging fear that others view them as lightweights who advanced because of race. If Sotomayor is confirmed, they’ll have much to discuss.

Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.   (AP Photo/Courtesy Princeton University)
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, FILE)
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.
Judge Sotomayor and Justice Thomas have walked parallel paths and yet arrived at contrary conclusions, not only on legal questions, but on personal ones, too.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
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Off the bench, Judge Sotomayor has helped build affirmative action programs. On the bench, Justice Thomas has argued against them with thunderous force. - Jodi Kantor and David Gonzalez, the New York Times

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
kokuaguy
Jun 8, 2009 12:52 PM CDT
And it's still a ludicrous oxymoron, C_k (my favorite big bad scary ole newser troll under the bridge ....) Is he still there?
kokuaguy
Jun 8, 2009 12:49 PM CDT
He's there and will be for many years to come, barring an act of God. His own rise has been remarkable and he has evolved in certain respects. Deep down in their hearts I'm sure many who voted to put Bush in office have wondered what history would have looked like if they had cast their votes differently.
Caps
Jun 7, 2009 8:57 AM CDT
SBS,, what a correct comment. He seems to be bitter to the core. He does not care about anyone else, only the rich and right wingers.

Anita Hill on Sonia Sotomayor
Essence

 
race • affirmative action • Clarence Thomas • US Supreme Court • ethnic diversity • Sonia Sotomayor

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