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And Justice For All

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Dr. Perry Speaks On Elena Kagan Critics

For more from Dr. Imani Perry, a professor at Princeton University's Center for African American Studies, who pushes back on African American critics of SCOTUS nominee Elena Kagan, listen to Progress 2050's podcast. http://bit.ly/dwazEk

Here are a few excerpts from Washington Post's article titled, "White House seeks to defend Kagan's diversity record."

• Some black activists were already dismayed that no African American woman has reached President Obama's short list in two searches.
• The selection of Kagan, the U.S. solicitor general, served to irritate them further, as they described her tenure at Harvard -- which administration officials highlight as evidence of her practicality and her ability to work across ideological lines -- as one lacking in racial inclusion.
• Leaders of the NAACP and legal groups discussed their concerns with White House officials. Afterward, the Rev. Al Sharpton said Jarrett had described the role civil rights groups could play in supporting future nominees for solicitor general and district and appellate judges. Kagan's nomination, Sharpton said, "is already made, and most of us are inclined to support it."
• As with many elite institutions, Harvard Law has been prodded over the years to diversify the ranks of its faculty. While Kagan led the school from 2003 to 2009, 29 faculty members were hired: Twenty-eight were white, and one was Asian American.
• The White House (and Dr. Imani Perry) has pushed back against the notion that Kagan has not been racially sensitive, releasing a set of talking points on the subject to civil rights lawyers and reporters.
• It emphasizes that Kagan did not have the final say in hiring at Harvard, where such decisions are made by committee. The memo also argues that Kagan made other appointments and promotions that enhanced diversity, including moving two minority professors to tenured positions. Three of the 12 clinical professors hired were minorities

Posted 11:50 AM | Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 | Permalink

Tags: kagan, scotus

Full-Court Press

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SCOTUS And Sexually Dangerous Criminals

The Supreme Court ruled today that "sexually dangerous" offenders may be incarcerated indefinitely, even after their prison terms are complete. Justice Stephen Breyer: "The statute is a 'necessary and proper' means of exercising the federal authority that permits Congress to create federal criminal laws, to punish their violation, to imprison violators, to provide appropriately for those imprisoned and to maintain the security of those who are not imprisoned by who may be affected by the federal imprisonment of others." [MSNBC]

Posted 3:29 PM | Monday, May 17th, 2010 | Permalink

Tags: scotus