Supreme Court Selections
In response to “California, of All States, Needs a Court in Full Color,” Commentary, June 5:
Gerald F. Uelmen (dean of the Santa Clara University School of Law) lauds the 1977 appointment of Wiley Manuel to the California Supreme Court because Manuel was African-American. Uelmen concludes that Manuel was an asset to the court because he was a “minority voice, a voice that could speak from personal experience of the pervasive impact of racism in our society.” This conclusion bothers me.
Assuming a person brings special qualities to a position because of his or her ethnicity is a form of racism. The assumption is predicated on the belief that people of the same race have similar experiences and attitudes. This is erroneous.
Attributing unique qualifications to an individual because of ethnicity opens the door to negative racial stereotyping. It is no more irrational to criticize a person because of his or her race than to praise that person. A person’s race, gender, religion and sexual preference should never be considered a job liability or an asset.
ROBERT M. SHANNON
Alta Loma
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