Puerto Rico's Rainbow

Puerto Rico and Skin Color

From: Phillip Martin
Series: The Color Initiative
Length: 07:54

If confirmed, Sonia Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic and the first Puerto Rican to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a subject of pride in Puerto Rico where her nomination has been trumpeted on television, in newspapers, in barbershops and on the streets of the territorial Caribbean island. Puerto Ricans are united in their pride over this milestone event, but they are not a united people. Though Puerto Ricans sometimes refer to themselves as a rainbow, the country is sharply divided along lines of skin color. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Puerto Rico and Skin Color
From: Phillip Martin

Puerto_rican_identity_one_small

The issue of race continues to swirl around the confirmation of federal judge Sonia Sotomayor to the nation's highest court. Republican critics have accused judge Sotomayor of favoring people of color in her judicial decisions and cite her comment from a speech in which she said a "wise Latina" could reach a better decision than a white man. Judge Sonia Sotomayor said her controversial statement was poorly expressed but defended the importance of background in understanding the people who come before her. If confirmed, Sonia Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic and the first Puerto Rican to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a subject of pride in Puerto Rico where her nomination has been trumpeted on television, in newspapers, in barbershops and on the streets of the territorial Caribbean island. Puerto Ricans are united in their pride over this milestone event, but they are not a united people. Though Puerto Ricans sometimes refer to themselves as a rainbow, the country is sharply divided along lines of skin color. Phillip Martin has more.

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Piece Description

The issue of race continues to swirl around the confirmation of federal judge Sonia Sotomayor to the nation's highest court. Republican critics have accused judge Sotomayor of favoring people of color in her judicial decisions and cite her comment from a speech in which she said a "wise Latina" could reach a better decision than a white man. Judge Sonia Sotomayor said her controversial statement was poorly expressed but defended the importance of background in understanding the people who come before her. If confirmed, Sonia Sotomayor will become the first Hispanic and the first Puerto Rican to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a subject of pride in Puerto Rico where her nomination has been trumpeted on television, in newspapers, in barbershops and on the streets of the territorial Caribbean island. Puerto Ricans are united in their pride over this milestone event, but they are not a united people. Though Puerto Ricans sometimes refer to themselves as a rainbow, the country is sharply divided along lines of skin color. Phillip Martin has more.