Sotomayor Dislikes Commercialization of ‘Wise Latina’ Quote
Justice Sonia Sotomayor says she has had to adjust to a “hurricane” of public attention since her appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, but she has been touched by the support from so many well-wishers.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Puerto Rico, Sotomayor said she is happy that others are inspired by her story—but she’s not happy with the commercialization of her “wise Latina” comment, the Associated Press reports. She used the phrase in 2001 this way: “I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.”
The phrase has found its way onto T-shirts, coffee mugs and even coats marketed for Chihuahuas, the New York Daily News reports.
“I can’t tell you the number of people who come up to me and hug and kiss me and touch me, and some of them in tears,” Sotomayor said. “I wish there was a way of keeping that without the commercialization of me. Because when I spoke my words I spoke them freely, and I never intended for people to make money off them, because that seems wrong to me.”
Sotomayor also said she was dating up until the spring, but doesn’t expect a man in her life any time soon, the AP story says.
“I understand from my girlfriends that I’ve been put on a most eligible bachelorette list. I’ll figure that out in time. But right now I pity the man who tries to find a minute in my schedule,” she said.
