Unit D - Blog 28

This article illustrated that the exact same descriptions and terms used to describe a man and a woman can mean two totally different things when interpreted by the media and society. Jeffrey Rosen wrote an article about Sotomayor that later proved to be completely distorted from the truth and discredited. However, even though he had a sneaky and dishonest approach, he did influence others to share his notion. Terms such as temperament, domineering, inflated opinion of self, and bully are all terms that the media used to describe Sotomayor because she is smart and aggressive. Foser points out that when men are smart and aggressive that they have positive affiliations through the media. When Foser and Hutchinson point out the true double standard, it really demonstrates with solid evidence that the media can portray a man different from a woman using the same words. It is flat out discrimination. I notice this same type of discrimination in sports relating to race. White quarterbacks are similar to the amount of white male chairs on the Supreme Court. These quarterbacks are described as smart and strong leaders. When commentators speak about black quarterbacks, they often use terms such as talent, athleticism, and god given ability. These terms are rarely ever used to describe a white quarterback, and you almost never hear a black quarterback as being referred to as smart or good decision maker. They both are performing the same task, and many of the same base skills are needed, although everyone has different strengths at those skills. It is the same thing with Sotomayor. She went to Princeton and Yale and completed the same type of education as her peers and competition, but she isn’t considered to be smart, just like the black quarterback. She is referred to as the “cookie cutter” candidate because of her diversity. It is pretty ridiculous. This type of hidden prejudice is in language everywhere. Since I’ve become a justice student I have paid attention to it on the radio, television, work, school and everywhere else and I notice it everywhere. Just listen for key terms when people talk about gender, race, religions, sexuality, etc. and you will notice that words have different meanings and situations are considered different depending on whom the subject is.