How Federal Judges Use and Abuse the Words of Martin Luther King Jr. in Their Decisions

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/how-federal-judges-use-and-abuse-words-martin-luther-king-jr

A few years ago, I was tasked with researching employment court cases for Congress' Military Leadership Diversity Commission to help come up with suggestions for ways the armed forces could ensure its career paths were truly open to all people.

One case, Christian v. United States (2000), caught my eye in the course of my research. The case involved a claim brought by two white Army officers who had twice been passed over for promotion to colonel and therefore were automatically retired. They alleged that Army policies advantaged minorities to the disadvantage of white officers.

From the very first line of Christian, I did a double-take: "This case, and the constitutional claim raised in this case, is not about race."

It's a reverse discrimination claim—it's entirely about race!

But then the second sentence says this:

However, it involves deeply held concerns about creating a society free of the scourge of racial injustice that has, during much of our history, diminished the quality of life for African-Americans as well as other racial, ethnic, or religious minorities.

So it is about race….

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Well xchrom

Even here at DU we are admonished that nothing is about race. It's all about class warfare.

What folks don't understand is wealthy white men put a race card in every single deck. Even in this case. These judges put the race card in the deck.

[giftedgirl77]

2. This was a great read & provided some interesting

insight into how MLK is used in the criminal justice system both positively & negatively.

Thanks for posting it.

[xchrom]

3. ...

[marmar]

4. k/r