Justice Sotomayor Emphasizes Citizen Power and Importance of Reading Court Opinions
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has recently emphasized the importance of active citizenship in driving change and encouraged Americans to engage with court opinions. Speaking during interviews related to her new children's book, "Just Shine: How to Be Your Best You," Sotomayor highlighted the power of the people and the need to understand different perspectives.
The Power of the People
According to Justice Sotomayor, lasting change originates from citizens, not the courts. She stated in an interview with "CBS Mornings" that while she decides individual cases, "In the end, I don't change what exists. People change what they don't like or they support what they do like. The power of change is in people." She reiterated this sentiment in an interview with ABC News, stressing that American democracy thrives when citizens understand they "are the agents of law."
Reading Court Opinions
Sotomayor urged Americans to read full court opinions and attempt to understand all sides of an argument. During an appearance on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," she responded to a standing ovation for her recent dissent by suggesting viewers read both her opinion and the concurring opinion. She believes it's crucial to avoid jumping to conclusions based solely on personal feelings and to acknowledge that the opposing side may have valid points, even if not always the case.
Concerns About the "Shadow Docket"
The Justice also addressed concerns regarding the Supreme Court's emergency docket, often called the "shadow docket." She explained that this mechanism allows cases to bypass the typical lower court review process. While acknowledging the necessity of an emergency docket, Sotomayor noted that critics question the appropriateness of the court intervening so early in a case. The Trump administration previously faced criticism for its use of the emergency docket to expedite decisions.
"Just Shine: How to Be Your Best You"
Sotomayor's media appearances are partly to promote her new children's book, "Just Shine: How to Be Your Best You," which celebrates her mother, Celina's, teachings of love, care, and attention. The book is available in both English and Spanish, with an audiobook narrated by Gloria Estefan. She believes the book's message of kindness and finding commonalities among people is particularly relevant in today's society, where differences are often emphasized.
Alignment with Other Justices
Interestingly, Sotomayor's encouragement to read court opinions echoes sentiments expressed by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who is also promoting a book, "Listening to the Law." Both justices seem to be advocating for a more informed public engagement with the legal system, urging people to understand the reasoning behind court decisions from all perspectives.
