Spring Break
Racial double standards are unacceptable
Aaron Igdalsky
Issue date: 2/3/09 Section: Commentary
Last week, the state's Judicial Review Council released a video of the arrest of Superior Court Judge E. Curtissa Cofield from Oct. 8, 2008. In the video, which depicts Judge Cofield being processed at the Glastonbury Police Department for DUI and failing to drive in the proper lane after her BMW sideswiped a state police vehicle, Judge Cofield can be heard addressing one of the arresting officers, who is black, as "Negro trooper," and later as "the head n----- in charge." In total, Judge Cofield, who is black, used the "N" word twice in the video.
More than three hours after crashing into the state police cruiser, Judge Cofield's blood alcohol level was a staggering 0.17 percent - more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
To have such a high blood alcohol content three hours after crashing (and thus, at least three hours since her last drink), Judge Cofield clearly displayed a wanton disregard for the safety of everyone else on the road. This, in and of itself, is condemnable and disgraceful. However, considering the vile behavior Judge Cofield demonstrated to the police officer, the situation becomes elevated to an entirely new level of unacceptability.
Using despicable language like the "N" word is inexcusable, even in cases of extreme intoxication. No one deserves to be treated so disrespectfully, particularly a police officer who puts his life on the line to protect all of us. As such, one would assume that, if a judge had been arrested for a DUI and recorded on video addressing a state police officer as "Negro trooper," and twice as the "N" word, that judge would immediately resign or be terminated. However, Judge Cofield is still employed as a judge, and she has not announced any plans to resign. This is an outrage; not only did Judge Cofield put others at risk by drinking and driving well over the legal limit, but she also insulted an officer of the law, using ethnic slurs, no less.
The fact that Judge Cofield happens to be black herself should have no effect on the situation. The "N" word is despicable and intolerable in all forms, particularly when used as a putdown to a police officer. There is no doubt that if a white, Asian or Latino judge called a police officer the "N" word, he or she would face intense public pressure to resign immediately, and would have no choice but to resign or face certain, public termination. Such an expected code of conduct is reasonable; someone who is so racist as to use the "N" word is not fit to be a judge. However, the same code of conduct must be applied equally; if judges are expected to carry out the law equally for the public at large, the least we can expect is for judges to be treated equally as well.
Judge Cofield, who was the first black female judge in state history, was once a well respected member of the Connecticut legal community. She broke a historic gender and color barrier and set a positive example for many young women across Connecticut. However, Judge Cofield's recent behavior has brought great shame to the state of Connecticut. Judge Cofield's racist, dangerous, reckless and incendiary behavior is absolutely inexcusable, and she should be disciplined the same way any white, Asian or Latino judge would surely be disciplined if they behaved as Judge Cofield did: termination of judgeship. When the Judicial Review Council conducts its disciplinary hearing for Judge Cofield on Feb. 9, I hope they will set an example that all forms of racism are intolerable, and that no judge, regardless of her color, is above the law.
More than three hours after crashing into the state police cruiser, Judge Cofield's blood alcohol level was a staggering 0.17 percent - more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
To have such a high blood alcohol content three hours after crashing (and thus, at least three hours since her last drink), Judge Cofield clearly displayed a wanton disregard for the safety of everyone else on the road. This, in and of itself, is condemnable and disgraceful. However, considering the vile behavior Judge Cofield demonstrated to the police officer, the situation becomes elevated to an entirely new level of unacceptability.
Using despicable language like the "N" word is inexcusable, even in cases of extreme intoxication. No one deserves to be treated so disrespectfully, particularly a police officer who puts his life on the line to protect all of us. As such, one would assume that, if a judge had been arrested for a DUI and recorded on video addressing a state police officer as "Negro trooper," and twice as the "N" word, that judge would immediately resign or be terminated. However, Judge Cofield is still employed as a judge, and she has not announced any plans to resign. This is an outrage; not only did Judge Cofield put others at risk by drinking and driving well over the legal limit, but she also insulted an officer of the law, using ethnic slurs, no less.
The fact that Judge Cofield happens to be black herself should have no effect on the situation. The "N" word is despicable and intolerable in all forms, particularly when used as a putdown to a police officer. There is no doubt that if a white, Asian or Latino judge called a police officer the "N" word, he or she would face intense public pressure to resign immediately, and would have no choice but to resign or face certain, public termination. Such an expected code of conduct is reasonable; someone who is so racist as to use the "N" word is not fit to be a judge. However, the same code of conduct must be applied equally; if judges are expected to carry out the law equally for the public at large, the least we can expect is for judges to be treated equally as well.
Judge Cofield, who was the first black female judge in state history, was once a well respected member of the Connecticut legal community. She broke a historic gender and color barrier and set a positive example for many young women across Connecticut. However, Judge Cofield's recent behavior has brought great shame to the state of Connecticut. Judge Cofield's racist, dangerous, reckless and incendiary behavior is absolutely inexcusable, and she should be disciplined the same way any white, Asian or Latino judge would surely be disciplined if they behaved as Judge Cofield did: termination of judgeship. When the Judicial Review Council conducts its disciplinary hearing for Judge Cofield on Feb. 9, I hope they will set an example that all forms of racism are intolerable, and that no judge, regardless of her color, is above the law.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Reginald Holmes
posted 2/03/09 @ 11:22 PM EST
Nobody has the right to criticize a sister who's made a mistake. President Obama said he's made a mistake, just in the first 2 weeks.
Americans of African descent may use the words "Negro" and the "N" word any time they feel they want to without being judged by the majority. (Continued…)
William Coleman
posted 2/04/09 @ 9:08 AM EST
Everybody has the right to criticize and judge, and people do have opinions about this issue, especially in the case of a public figure like Judge Cofield. (Continued…)
Michelle
posted 2/04/09 @ 2:07 PM EST
In my opinion i think that by saying that the N word is not offensive and is ok to be used by African americans is very ignorant. I know many black people that find that word as being very disrespectful and just offensive to the black community. (Continued…)
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