Bigotry is still bigotry

Is the following statement racist or sexist?

“I would hope that a wise white male with the richness of his experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a Latina woman who hasn’t lived that life.”

If the answer is yes, then how can the same statement NOT be racist and sexist when we switch the words “white” and “Latina” and the words “male” and “woman” to “flip the script” on Judge Sotomayor’s statement:

“I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experience would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn’t lived that life.”

Is some race-based or gender-based discrimination OK, or is all racism and sexism wrong on a fundamental level? For myself, I oppose all racism and sexism whenever I encounter it without regard to origin or target.

How about you? Will you let some bigotry slide as long as you aren’t the target of the moment and the bigot in question isn’t white or male? What about Sen. Murray and Sen. Cantwell? Do you think they will they stand up and say no to all discrimination, or let it slide?

Cameron King

Spokane