Media Justice for Sotomayor

by Latoya Peterson

The Senate vote for potential Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is happening today, so I am sure the pundits will be going wild. With that in mind, I wanted to point you all to the Women’s Media Center’s campaign for Media Justice for Sotomayor.

Since the announcement of Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the Supreme Court, some in the media have engaged in sexist and racist attacks against her. Attacks have been overt and blatant. Some have been the repetition of extreme far right commentary, often packaged as “news” and endlessly discussed in mainstream media outlets.

The Women’s Media Center is releasing its new video, “Media Justice for Sotomayor.” It documents some of these racist and sexist comments already delivered on high profile television programs, radio, print and online outlets.

As Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation hearings approach on July 13th, The Women’s Media Center expects vigorous debate of Sotomayor’s qualifications & abilities. But we call on the media to refrain from allowing sexist and racist remarks to go unchecked.

You can help the WMC in our campaign for fair media coverage for Judge Sotomayor by contributing in the following ways:

1. Sign on to our WMC statement (listed below) supporting Media Justice for Sotomayor.
2. Pass this video on to friends, family, and members of the media through Tell-A-Friend.
3. If you are a journalist, contact the WMC for sources and experts on Sotomayor from our Progressive Women’s Voices program or SheSource.org.
4. If you see examples of sexism, racism or classicism against Sotomayor in the media’s coverage of her confirmation hearings, please send them to us.

Head over to the WMC site to sign the statement and check for updates.