With the confirmation of Elena Kagan ’81, Princeton has three sitting justices on the U.S. Supreme Court — one who is Jewish and one of Puerto Rican descent (both women), and the third an Italian-American whose father was an immigrant. I have never been prouder of Princeton, which in my lifetime has evolved into a magnificent institution dedicated to excellence and diversity.
That said, I do believe it is time for Princeton to honor Justice Samuel Alito ’72 as it has honored Justice Sonia Sotomayor ’76, a University trustee and an honorary-degree recipient. A recent dissent particularly justifies this. Whereas eight justices overturned an Internet ban on videos portraying cruelty to animals, Justice Alito defended the rights of animals, calling for the ban to be upheld. Princeton’s liberalism should not be an excuse for not honoring Samuel Alito, of whom we should also be justifiably proud.