by Nathan Swire
Opinion Writer
PUBLISHED 1/3/2006 1:47:24 PM
Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito’s association with Concerned Alumni of Princeton, a group frequently accused of racism that aimed to bar women and minorities from Princeton, calls into question his ability to impartially serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Concerned Alumni of Princeton (CAP), a group founded in 1972, attempted to preserve what they considered the “Christian Culture” of the school. The group consistently denounced efforts by the administration to accept racial minorities and women into the college and specifically stated that it opposed “sex-blind” admission policies. CAP demanded a school quota to ensure that the vast majority of students were male and loudly denounced the admittance of non-white students. One editorial writer in the CAP newsletter wrote, “In my day,
Andy Brown would have been called to task for his open love affair with minorities.” Another CAP newsletter denounced the school’s affirmative action program, writing that, “The makeup of Princeton has changed drastically for the worse.” By 1987, CAP collapsed under the weight of its unpopular and radical views. In a 1985 job application in the Reagan administration, Alito talked about his connection to CAP as proof of his conservative credentials.
Alito’s connection to CAP should raise suspicions about his qualifications, considering the powerful and influential position that President Bush has nominated him to. By allying himself with the racist and misogynistic CAP, Alito showed a callous attitude toward women and minority rights. Exactly how much Alito identified with CAP’s views, and how deeply he involved himslef in the organization remains unclear. Senators should, however, take this tie into account when considering his confirmation and remain highly skeptical of his commitment to the rights of women and minorities.
Ultimately, Alito’s connection to this bigoted organization calls into question his ability to interpret the constitution fairly. The constitution, after all, does guarentee equal political rights for all. CAP, which attempted to deny American citizens access to higher education, would hardly qualify as committed to this constitutional provision ...
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