Sotomayor's Success Argues Against Affirmative Action

Whatever the merits of her judicial philosophy, the life story of Sonia Sotomayor is one that the left quite often assures us simply does not exist.

She was an ethnic female born into inner-city poverty in the 1950's. Diagnosed with Type I diabetes at the age of eight, she was raised by her mother, who worked two jobs, after her father, who could not even speak English, died while she was still in elementary school.

Against these odds, Sotomayor lifted herself up by her own bootstraps and worked her way up to the most esteemed ranks in our nation.

She went from the Bronx to the Ivy League by applying herself and working hard. She did not rely on handouts. She did not simply accept her lot in life. She constantly strove to better herself and work to her potential.

At Princeton, Sotomayor continued to adopt that ethos and graduated summa cum laude. She then attended Yale Law School, where she worked as editor of the school's law journal. She has now spent a decade as a judge on the Court of Appeals.

Against this profoundly meritocratic backdrop, what some people seem to think is most compelling about her is the fact that her skin is a little bit brown. Rush Limbaugh and Pat Buchanan have both remarked that Sotomayor was clearly only chosen for her skin color, while Politico featured an article remarking upon the 'amazing diversity' of Obama, Sotomayor, and Biden surrounding each other.

This is the awful tragedy of affirmative action. No matter how hard a racial minority works, no matter what odds she overcomes, no matter how distinguished she may become, her achievements will always be tainted by that big question mark she knows will always hover over her head.

If there was ever a more compelling case to abolish affirmative action than the life narrative of Sonia Sotomayor, I'd like to see it. It's a shame that her most ardent supporters don't see that.