The “People’s Justice” Sotomayor’s Oprah Factor

The "People's Justice" Sotomayor's Oprah Factor

Justice Sotomayor has blazed an interesting and distinctive path according to a paper written for  Yale Law School by David Fontana, who talks about the “People’s Justice” – someone who has broken through the more removed personas of other jurists.

The Judge’s easy manner and liberal perspective give her an ability to provide a better knowledge of the Constitution.

Appearing on Oprah Winfrey, Jon Stewart, Katie Couric and Stephen Colbert has hardly hindered the likeable Justice.

Fontana notes:  “Justice Sotomayor has received substantial amounts of media attention for her extrajudicial appearances at events that are not geared towards academics, and instead are watched by a cross-section of millions of Americans.  She has been featured in the more middle- or upper-brow strata of liberal media: 60 Minutes, National Public Radio, CNN, and C-SPAN. She made two appearances on a program that appeals to everyone: Sesame Street.”

Justice Sotomayor’s accessability and ability to talk in an easy and easy-to-understand manner about justice, the law and herself has created an influence and reputation that is refreshing and welcome.

“By appearing in different places and talking about the law in a different language, Sotomayor has the potential to be a new kind of liberal Justice by appealing to broader audiences. Her fame might bring new followers to the liberal cause. Her humanity might make them appreciate the liberal cause even more. And her language might make the liberal cause sound different—and more appealing to a broader range of audiences.

Perhaps Oprah Winfrey’s own words about the Judge are worth noting:

The first thing that strikes me about Justice Sonia Sotomayor is her warmth. The second—her shoes. I’ve never pictured a member of our nation’s highest court wearing leopard-print pumps, but that’s what she has on when I meet her outside her old high school, Cardinal Spellman, in the Bronx (she graduated in 1972). As we walk the halls together, I learn that I have more in common with this Supreme Court justice than I would have thought possible.

 

 

 

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