I've been following Sotomayor's hearings and the outright display of white anxiety over "reverse racism" is astounding. The idea that people (especially women) of color are the oppressors is so absurd it infuriates me. When was the last time a white male suffered from any form of institutionalized prejudice? Now, as women and people of color begin to fill coveted positions of power (Executive and Judicial branches, anyone?), white men like Pat Buchanan are shitting themselves all over the news. I imagine these historical power shifts are as terrifying to some as they are exciting for others. At least their desire to maintain hegemony is on display, so hopefully it will be taken note of and challenged.
To be fair, it is frustrating that all the Supreme Court positions keep going to Latinas. Wait....
Last time I checked, loyalty to the law and fairness were not mutually exclusive from being tough. But ohh she's a woman! That means she must be a bitch!
It's probable that Sotomayor has grappled with this condescension before and clearly, she knows how to address it with extreme calm. It would be so difficult not to point out his bullshit. I find her patience very admirable.
Did anyone really expect this to proceed in any other fashion? I suppose we ought to annotate this as concisely as possible, talk openly about the powers at play and not be scared of hurting the white man's ego.
In the meantime, LOL.
cartoon via Feministing.
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