THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 4, 1994 TAG: 9412030148
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 35 lines
Chesapeake's generally excellent record for minority representation in positions of authority has a weak spot: Though 27 percent of the city's population is African-American and about half of it is female, neither group is represented among the city's eight judgeships.
In fact, Chesapeake is the only city in Hampton Roads whose judiciary is still 100 percent white and male. That's not something to be proud of.
Fortunately, there's an opportunity to have a more representative judiciary, and soon. The creation of a new judgeship for the city's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court can be a first step toward a more balanced, more representative local bench.
The leadership of the local chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Color People are already demanding that the new appointee be black and are threatening political retribution against anyone who stands in the way. And members of the Legislative Black Caucus in Richmond are mobilizing behind the choice of a minority candidate for the new position.
We'd like to believe that demands, threats and political pressure aren't necessary. Diversification of the local bench is in the best interest of us all. Accomplishing it is not solely the responsibility of one race, one sex or one party. It's a shared responsibility.
It's time we worked together to get it done. by CNB