Today is a monumental day for Latinos. Finally, we see ourselves represented on the highest court in the land. Janet Murguia, National Council of La Raza (“The Race” aka NCLR) President/CEO, May 27, 2009
If the name “La Raza” (‘The Race”) isn’t crazy enough, the concept of a United States citizen being at all concerned about race is completely insane. If Ms Murguia is more concerned about her “race” than about the United States, we would like to suggest she go elsewhere. Perhaps back in time before 1865 where there were so many open racists. She should feel quite at home. And Sonia Sotomayor should be equally at home with the racist, sexist bigots who were so common at the time. The Supreme Court is supposed to be about laws, not about race or skin color or gender.
In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American… There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people. Theodore Roosevelt 1907