In today’s Judiciary Council report, the demographic details of the bench were not altogether impressive:
“The Judicial Council report reveals that white trial and appellate judges now account for 72.3 percent of the judiciary, down fractionally from 2010 but up from 70.1 percent in 2006. At the same time, however, the report shows gains by every other ethnic and racial group, as well as by women, who are now nearly 31 percent of judges, including a brand-new chief justice, Tani Cantil-Sakauye.” (SacBee)
The judiciary needs to become more representative as soon as possible. Most importantly, it increases the legitimacy of the courts within all communities. Diversity gives us all a sense of ownership of our justice system, and grants legitimacy to the system.
Governor Brown will have an opportunity to increase that diversity on the Supreme Court, as Justice Moreno officially retired this week.
but at least he’ll be able to maintain it.
I note that you don’t call for diversity in
1. Public School teachers: Way to many white females there, need to make sure that Men step to the head of the line.
2. University admissions: Females out numbering males – need to get that corrected.
Of course, I’m joking … I just don’t like any racist or sexist preference system or even any thought given to balance. If anyone is promoted on a reason other than merit, then that is a problem. Further, it damages the reputation in the “assisted” group, because many of us assume they did not get their on their own merit.
For example, did Obama get into Harvard simply because he was able to check Black as his race. I don’t know, but I suspect his race played a role. Of course my suspicion would be horribly unfair if his race indeed played no role — this is how racist policies affect everyone both the good and the bad actors. It is clear after a couple of years of watching Obama that he does not have the intellectual horse power or work ethic to be a good president so it makes one wonder. And it is hard to respect someone if their position was won because the rules were tilted in their favor.
Would you really trust a judge who got their position in an unjust way?