Friday, December 11, 2009
Sotomayor makes history (again)
1 comments
As feminists, we know that language is important. Telling our friends to use "she or he" instead of simply "he," "you all" instead of "you guys," or "people of color" instead of "colored people," is a seemingly small, but vital, part of being an activist.
This is why I was so pleased to hear that Justice Sotomayor made history when she became the first Supreme Court justice to use the term "undocumented immigrant," rather than the standard "illegal immigrant," used by many other justices in the past.
Using the term "illegal" pins the immigrants who come here looking for work and a better life as criminals, which is wrong. I was very happy that Sotomayor made that crucial change.
This is why I was so pleased to hear that Justice Sotomayor made history when she became the first Supreme Court justice to use the term "undocumented immigrant," rather than the standard "illegal immigrant," used by many other justices in the past.
Using the term "illegal" pins the immigrants who come here looking for work and a better life as criminals, which is wrong. I was very happy that Sotomayor made that crucial change.
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February 19, 2012 at 12:28 AM
I completely agree with Sotomayer's choice in choosing non-offensive dictation that doesn't make a first glance bad impression to immigrants, especially Mexicans. Some immigrants may have difficult changes to adjust to while moving to the United States, but for Mexicans, it is a risk of life or death or suffering. They may die or get killed while trying to pass through, and i truely admire their fully committed bravery that has led some to indeed better lives...hopefully all of U.S. citizens can soon understand what unbelievably heroic choices they make for a better life. Words like illegal and alien make me angry because most don't know that they are better people who are amazing in strength and prosperity.