Former Majority Attempts to Define Objectivity

As I listen to the opening statements by US Senators in the hearing to confirm Judge Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, I am taken aback by the premises expressed most strikingly by Republicans. They continue to assert that the Constitution is totally clear and can be interpreted objectively based on the text only and no personal opinion, and most amazingly, that the justices who agree with them are all completely objective. That 106 of 110 justices in the history of the court having been white and male would have had no impact on the decisions they made.

More than overt oppressive tactics such as arrests and censorship, the subtle and probably unconscious bias of thinking one's own opinions are objective is dangerous because of the inertia of the majority mindset.

Even though our population has shifted and the majority is on its way to minority status, our ruling bodies and our common thinking and beliefs still unconsciously hold that there is objective reality which happens to correspond to what we think. And to unconsciously support an economic system that slants toward greed and war.

This observation motivates me to promote a) thinking about thinking, i.e. self-reflection without being self-confirming, or closed, and b) interaction with people in the world as equals in importance though not in talents or privileges.
I believe that intelligence is self-questioning, without being doubtful, and that it grows through contact with the many ways of living on this planet.

If we are to be ready for interaction with anyone from another galaxy, let's think ahead and practice welcoming behaviors here where we reside. And one of them would be understanding the spectrum of possible belief systems and ways to live.

Please, Senators who hold great legislative and social-political power, recognize that RIGHT is not a functional place to stand if you are to do your job in this system. Reflect on the hypocrisy and scandal that plagues people who take the righteous ownership of reality. Find a path to the humility that does not bow or scrape but does think beyond slogans and expands understanding of what it means to be human.