Race, Gender, Sexuality, and the Politics of the American Judiciary

Makes a significant contribution to substantive representation, and examines the various political identities of justices in the American political system.

Samantha L. Hernandez (Edited by), Sharon A. Navarro (Edited by)

9781108429887, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 November 2018

196 pages, 23 b/w illus. 15 tables
23.4 x 15.6 x 1.5 cm, 0.42 kg

'This volume makes a unique, timely, and important contribution to the discussion of identity politics and the US Judiciary. There are significant ramifications if our increasingly diverse population is not better reflected on the courts.' Christina Bejarano, University of Kansas

The judicial system in a liberal democracy is deemed to be an independent branch of government with judges free from political agendas or societal pressures. In reality, judges are often influenced by their economic and social backgrounds, gender, race, religion, and sexuality. This volume explores the representation of different identities in the judiciary in the United States. The contributors investigate the pipeline, ambition, institutional inclusion, retention, and representation of groups previously excluded from federal, state, and local judiciaries. This study demonstrates how diversity on the bench improves the quality of justice, bolsters confidence in the legitimacy of the courts, and provides a vital voice in decision-making power for formerly disenfranchised populations.

1. Qualification, selection, and retirement characteristics of women, minorities, and minority women state Supreme Court judges Nancy Bays Arrington
2. Latinas and the Texas judiciary: the intersection of race, gender, and judiciary Sharon A. Navarro
3. Structural and partisan influences on the ascension of women of color to state appellate courts Barbara L. Graham and Adriano Udani
4. LGBT judges in the US Donald Haider-Markel and Patrick Gauding
5. Race, gender, and the battle to seat Constance Baker Motley, the first black woman appoint to the federal bench Taneisha Nicole Means
6. Diversity abound: will federal judicial appointees mirror a changing citizenry? Shenita Brazelton and LaTasha Chaffin
7. Marked for excellence: race, gender, and the treatment of Supreme Court-worthy nominees to the US courts of appeals Lisa M. Holmes
8. Navigating rising to the top: Justice Sotomayor Samantha L. Hernandez.

Subject Areas: Jurisprudence & philosophy of law [LAB], Public opinion & polls [JPVK], Political science & theory [JPA], Politics & government [JP], Social, group or collective psychology [JMH], Psychology [JM], Sociology [JHB], History of ideas [JFCX], Cultural studies [JFC]