Humility… I was awed that someone so exalted could be so humble. It was no doubt Justice Sotomayor’s upbringing in the Bronx moved her to never forget that a human being’s value is not determined by their Ivy League education or professional appointment.
Diversity… Diversity is needed not only on campuses, it is needed even on the Supreme Court. Among our nine Supreme Court Justices, religious diversity, educational diversity, geographic diversity, and diversity of lifelong experiences and legal professional backgrounds is lacking. Diversity ensures that all arguments will be heard and debated. Yet still, Sotomayor added, the Brown vs. Board of Education 1954 Decision struck down segregation 9 to 0 even without that diversity.
Law… Its purpose is as simple as the red and green stop light. A red light legally requires that we stop. Green allows us to go. The law sets boundaries on what we can do. We suppress self-interest for the greater good. Laws regulate human relationships. (I would add that the laws of Torah, in large part, serve the same purpose. They guide and even make holy our human encounters).
Wisdom… When asked about lifetime judicial appointments, Justice Sotomayor acknowledged that it is hard to judge something when you are a beneficiary. Yet still, she said that it takes a long time to grow as a judge. Even Supreme Court Justices grow in their work. It takes time for all of us to learn our roles and be our best.
Justice… Do not merely look at the Supreme Court decision on a given issue. Read the entire opinion to understand the process of coming to that decision. There will always be one side that feels that justice has been served and another that has feels it has not.
Voting… Our republic is based on the principle that the people will be involved in leading, yet less than fifty percent of voters actually vote. Part of our failing is in our own hands. Other countries see it as a civic duty to vote and citizens are taxed for not voting. Sharing our voice and our vote are critical to our country’s success.
This morning at Davidson College, Justice Sotomayor taught us so much more than lessons on law, she taught us lessons for life.
Thank you, Davidson College, for making the event possible. Happy 187th Birthday!
