Read the excerpt from "A Latina Judge's Voice" by Hon. Sonia Sotomayor.

Question

If I had pursued my career in my undergraduate history major, I would likely provide you with a very academic description of what being a Latino or Latina means. For example, I could define Latinos as those peoples and cultures populated or colonized by Spain who maintained or adopted Spanish or Spanish Creole as their language of communication. You can tell that I have been very well educated. That antiseptic description, however, does not really explain the appeal of morcilla—pig’s intestine—to an American-born child. It does not provide an adequate explanation of why individuals like us, many of whom are born in this completely different American culture, still identify so strongly with those communities in which our parents were born and raised.

What does Sotomayor accomplish by using the words "morcilla—pig's intestine"?

Sotomayor brings the audience's attention to the uniqueness of her culture.
Sotomayor creates a mood of sadness to emphasize the loss of her culture.
Sotomayor establishes herself as being educated in culinary arts.
Sotomayor forces the audience to consider the benefits of a vegan lifestyle.

Answer 1

Sotomayor brings the audience's attention to the uniqueness of her culture. By mentioning "morcilla—pig's intestine," she highlights a specific cultural food that represents her heritage, contrasting it with a more academic definition of Latino identity. This serves to illustrate the depth and richness of cultural experiences that go beyond formal education and academic descriptions.