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26 January 2012 Christie Names a Gay Man and an Asian for the Top Court

Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey made a bold statement in the diversity of the state on Monday, January 23rd, by nominating an openly gay man and an Asian immigrant into the court system. The Korean immigrant, Phillip H. Kwon, worked under Mr. Christie when Mr. Christie was the United States attorney for New Jersey. Phillip H. Kwon will be the first ever immigrant to serve in the court with such an honorable ranking. Along with Phillip will be Bruce A. Harris, the first openly gay man to serve as a justice in court. Although Mr. Christine nominated Bruce A. Harris into the court system, it does not change his view on same-sex marriage. Mr. Christie still chooses to oppose gay marriage. This has caused major controversy about Mr. Christie and his ideas for New Jersey. Back in 2006, the court ruled that same-sex couples had the same rights as heterosexual couples. But, same-sex couples were only allowed civil unions. This caused gay couples to sue and say that their rights were not equal because basically, a civil union is not a marriage. Along with the changing of justices, Mr. Christie has also made several ideas to change the court and the budget. He is intensely looking at failed attempts to assist poor schools throughout the state. He has admitted that the past attempts have been failures and it is time for a change. When finding this article I found that it related to class and this course in multiple ways. For example, right now we are talking about immigrants and what life was like for them in the late 1800s early 1900s. They were treated unfairly, given poor jobs, and not paid sufficiently. But now, there is a Korean immigrant nominated into a state court system. It is truly amazing to see how far America has progressed since the 1800s and the 1900s. We have also previously discussed, briefly, the rights of others. The gay and lesbian couples in American, more recently, have had a huge protest and never ending fight for the right to marry the one they love. Over time, more states and counties have found it more acceptable and that, I believe, will continue to happen. Just like when immigrants were migrating to the US and the government shut the door on Asian immigrants, people stood up against it. Protests and strikes get laws and government to change, even if it is at a small scale. People can make a difference from working their way up from the bottom to make it big. Although it may seem obvious, my article has a direct tie into the “Diversity in America” category. The article highlights two very well know “social groups” in America today. These groups have either been accepted into communities or denied from communities because of their ethnicity or beliefs. The dictionary definition of diversity is: a point of difference. In America, difference is accepted and allowed and that is exactly the reason why there are so many cultures, social groups, and different people who live here, immigrate here, or want to live here. We believe in equal rights for everyone but in some cases, like the gay couples, that rule doesn’t apply. There will always be a struggle between what people believe is right and wrong because in the end is there truly a right and a wrong? People see things from different perspectives and through different lenses. People are raised with different morals and values. Being diverse doesn’t just have to do with ethnicity, like Phillip H. Kwon, it can be found in white Americans believing in gay marriage. It is all diversity and is all accepted in America. 1.) Would diversity have an effect on the nominations for court justices? 2.) How do you think Americans will react to the news of a Korean and a Gay serving in court? 3.) Do you believe the court system will be looked down upon? 4.) Do you think that this change in court will continue in other states? 5.) Will more openly gay people be willing to run for office now with a gay in high power? 6.) Does this give Americans a new start to court systems and how they work? 7.) Do you think that Mr. Christie will eventually change his mind about same-sex marriage because if working with his partner? 8.) Is it possible gay will be more greatly accepted?
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**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Bibliography ** ZERNIKE, KATE. "Christie Names Gay and Asian Men to N.J. Supreme Court - NYTimes.com." //The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/nyregion/christie-names-gay-and-asian-men-to-nj-supreme-court.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=American%20Diversity&st=cse>.

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