Supreme Court Nominee Inspires Local Hispanics

If confirmed to the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic ever to serve on the high court, and she's quickly becoming an inspiration to some in Oklahoma City's Hispanic community.

Sunday, May 31st 2009, 11:09 pm

By: News 9


By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The recent nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court could be history-making. If confirmed, Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic ever to serve on the high court, and she's quickly becoming an inspiration to some in Oklahoma City's Hispanic community.

The Hispanic community looks at Judge Sotomayor as a person who offers them hope and possibility, similar to how the black community looks at the man who nominated her, President Barack Obama.

"I have decided to nominate an inspiring woman, whom I believe will make a great Supreme Court justice, Judge Sonia Sotomayor," President Obama announced.

Sotomayor is already spreading hope through the streets of the Hispanic community. Sandra Hernandez sees Sotomayor's nomination as a big step forward for Hispanics, especially for her kids.

"Once you see someone like her, anything is possible," Hernandez said. "For my kids, that's a good thing because they can have a better life."

"Based on her background and based on her ethnicity, I think this is perhaps an issue she is going to have more openness to," said attorney Michael Brooks-Jimenez.

Brooks-Jimenez is often fighting for immigrant rights and sees Sotomayor as someone who can help.

"I like to be able to see, when it comes to immigrant issues, to see someone more progressive that knows what it's like to be an immigrant," Brooks-Jimenez said.

Having someone who can relate to their struggles, like growing up in a single-parent home, is why many teens support Obama's choice.

"It would help me become more confident in myself, in my race and push myself forward," said high school senior Pedro Galindo.

"Just keep on pressuring your kids to do good in life, to tell them everything is possible, wherever you come from," Hernandez said.

Should Sotomayor be appointed, she would not only be the first ever Latino on the U.S. Supreme Court but just the third woman in history.

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