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Nomination of Sonya Sotomayor Inspires Hispanic Students
Sotomayor with students in New York. Photo courtesy of www.whitehouse.gov/photogallery/Sotomayor-Bio/
On May 26, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor for appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed, Sotomayor, who is of Puerto Rican descent, will be the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice and only the third female justice. And yet another glass ceiling will have been broken.
The nomination of the first Hispanic to the Supreme Court is inspiring Hispanic students nationwide.
Hispanic students at Washington D.C.‘s Cesar Chavez Public Charter School told the local Channel 8 News that Sotomayor’s nomination gives them hope that they can excel to a level they never thought possible.
“Look at her story; if she can do it why can’t you,” a student, Brenda Balcarcel told Channel 8. “Yeah, it’s hard, but if you want something you’re going to work hard and you’re doing to do it.”
One student, Hancy Montesino told Channel 8 he believes that there can now be a Hispanic president, “we have a chance now,” he said.
And yet another told Channel 8 that he thinks Sotomayor’s nomination will inspire parents to encourage children to work harder in school.
“And it almost gives parents a reason to push their kids far enough so they can achieve greatness – hey, you could become the next president like Obama did…. He eliminated that whole idea that only the white man can do it. He did that and so did Sonia,” Bonerge Rubio, a student told Channel 8 News.
Does Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court nomination inspire you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Information compiled from Channel 8 News and Wikipedia.
olliertv
3 days ago
she's a nut.
its good that she inspires people, but as long as she is going to make worthless worthless racist statements, im not on her side.
"I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."
just plain worthless.
just the same as that idiot we have running our country.
GraciaV
5 days ago
absolutely it does! it inspires me! thank God for her!!!!
aireal1994
13 days ago
Sonia Sotomayor has greatly inspired my to becoming the foul extent of what I can be. Being of hispanic decent and a female there was always that mind set that I cant excel as much as a male can, but now I know that I can do whatever I want to do just as long as I work for it
Mayra_Calderon12
21 days ago
As coming from a Hispanic family she has broken many barriers set in our customs and she inspires me to keep on going and to remain true to ourself.
monekins1
about 1 month ago
She deffinately opened a chapter in Hispanic history. She is not only Hispanic but a female and that is twice the victory. She is an inspiration to me.
JessicaC4271
2 months ago
"but she was not the first, but she opened the door more for us and for that I thank her" EXACTLY!!
EsliM
2 months ago
I have to admit it, it sort of irritates me. I mean, if you wanted to be someone you would go out and do it! This event would just refirm your dream. But to say that she is one of the greatest inspirations is a lie. America is the land of dreams, whether you achieve your dream is up to you. As for you can do it, have you missed obama? Besides I don't hear anyone saying anything about the first hispanic women to fly a commercial plane, or senator. She is the first judicial indeed, but don't insult countless of others who have made there dreams come true. She made her dream come true yes, but she won't make yours come true that is up to you. So don't diss those other first hispanics who made they're dreams come true, because they too are just as inspirational as her or more; because thanks to them, they opened the doors for us. All she did was follow, but she was not the first, but she opened the door more for us and for that I thank her
EduardoQ15
3 months ago
Truly an inspirational event for the latino community and the country as a whole. Si se puede!=]
iri212
3 months ago
Really proud, of Sonia Sotomayor, she is very quailify for the job, and is a great inspiration for latinos, minorities, women, immigrants, and us the poor people of this country.
CristianH20
3 months ago
proud to know that someone coming with passion and take stenght to make it that for
Juantenorio
4 months ago
this makes me proud to be hispanic/latino, i have to work hard to be where i want to be
YeseniaZ8
4 months ago
While it is great that a Latin American woman is a Supreme Court Justice, I feel that it is not what should be pointed out. How about looking at where she came from and what she has done. Too often we just link a nationality to a person and rate them on that, instead of leveling the playing field. Yes, it was probably more challenging for her to get that seat than perhaps other members but like any human being, she too had struggles and successes.
MayraG195
4 months ago
I definitely believe that Sonia Sotomayor's story serves to inspire many hispanics. Seeing a Latina take charge of such a powerful position in a government where we are a minority proves that with hard work and determination we can achieve anything. I think that now more hispanic students will start to try harder in school after seeing that hispanics can achieve so many things. I am extremely proud of Ms. Sotomayor and hope many will be inspired by her story.
YuriR20
4 months ago
yea yea Sonya Sotomayor for supreme court justice!!!! I think its wrong that those people are wanting find an excuse that Sonya Sotomayor will be a bad supreme court justice. They're afraid that latinos are going to become successful and eventually we might have a latino president one day and hopefully we do. Those white men are afraid that a latina woman is going to come in and do it better than them. I'm sooooo proud that I am a latina that what's up right there yo. God Bless You Sonya Sotomayor.
CaThiii
4 months ago
Yet Sonia is still being held back by all those people who think that she is liberal, or is it becuase she is latina? I think thats wrong, they are just trying to find an excuse to not let her in the supreme court. I also think those guys are afraid of Sonia...just let her in yo!