Whether It's the Firefighters Case or Sotomayor's Comment, Context is Everything

When complex concepts and situations are summed up in media or blogosphere shorthand, much is lost because context is everything. This is what's happening with the Supreme Court ruling in what many of us have labeled the "New Haven firefighters" or "white firefighters" case.

Taking something out of context leads to misunderstanding, and we've seen that happen with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's past comments. It's happening with Ricci v. DeStefano, the so-called firefighter's case. Because it hinges on Title VII, About.com's Guide to Civil Liberties Tom Head has provided an excellent analysis and commentary on the Ricci case, and why the Supreme Court's ruling (which reverses the ruling Sotomayor participated in earlier) is not as damning to Sotomayor's nomination as certain conservatives would have us believe.

Related article: Supreme Court Ruling in Ricci v. DeStefano