Description:

Goldberg Arthur 1908 - 1990 Arthur Goldberg on "the so-called 'Jewish seat' on the Supreme Court"
Single page TLS on his legal firm's letterhead of "Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison", dated June 9, 1969, 8.5" x 11". Signed by Arthur Goldberg as "Arthur J. Goldberg", then senior partner within his firm. Near fine, with expected folds and a single edge nick. Accompanied by the original letter written to Goldberg for reference, which is in tatty condition with creasing and intact tears.


A TLS by Arthur Goldberg in response to a controversial but misinterpreted comment by him. The original letter written to Goldberg is included, and is dated May 19, 1969, with his response dated June 9, 1969. The original letter to Goldberg demonstrates how one can misinterpret a thought or phrase, or in this case a sentence, when taken out of context, or when received/heard by someone who mentally filters a thought or phrase based on their experiences. Case in point, the original writer, Pauline Shapiro, had written to Goldberg stating "I was shocked to hear you state on TV last night that you did not think it necessary to appoint a Jew to the Supreme Court of the United States ... But I can not see how you can pontificate for the Jewish people of America in giving up what has become our special privilege of contributing through our Jewish heritage to the glorious development of our Constitution".

However, Pauline's interpretation of Justice Goldberg's comment on TV apparently neither reflects what he said, nor his intent, which is clearly seen in his signed response to her. In fact Goldberg's TV comment heralded a more profound and important message that was not "heard" by Pauline. That of elevating the importance of peoples contributions and abilities which should be used as the benchmark to consider someone for a position on the Supreme Count -- and not their race or religion or some other "quota". Pauline's comment was entrenched in the views of one from a place of prejudice, but Goldberg's intent was to acknowledge greatness and integrity with no barriers of racial or religious quotas to impede the process. Goldberg was beyond seeing race, or religion, and his only point was just exactly that, to not seek out quotas for placement of men to public office, and instead seek out greatness. His response to Pauline is shown in part below:

"... I do not believe that the brief excerpts on the radio and on television correctly stated my complete views about the so-called "Jewish seat" on the Supreme Court.

My opposition to this concept arises from my totla opposition to a quota system in any aspext of American life -- cabinet, the Court, universities, etc. I can see no reason why two or three members of the Court should not be Jewish, Negro, Catholic, Puerto Rican, or, indeed a member of any other of the pluralistic groups that make up our society....

The great difficulty with acceptance of the concept of a Jewish seat on the Supreme Court is that it becomes a quota of one seat, and this is unacceptable to me.

I would much prefer that the members of the Court be selected on the basis of their ability and integrity and that the chips fall where they may as far as their particular religious and racial origins are concerned. I happen to think that this view is particularly shared by Americans, who since the election of President Kennedy, have increasingly demonstrated that they regard religion and race to be irrelevant to the election or appointment of men to public office. This is another illustration of how the electorate is often far ahead of their public officials.

Sincerely yours

Arthur Goldberg"

Now, nearly 50 years later, this well spoken vision clearly described by former Justice Goldberg in his letter is still difficult to implement. As a country, although we have come a long way since 1969, we still have barriers and quotas, we still have wage discrimination between sexes, quotas within universities, and unspoken racial or religious barriers in the work force and in our political seats. And we still profile!

A fantastic example of a philosophical TLS by Arthur Goldberg, who held numerous prominent positions as an American statesman and jurist, who served as the U.S Secretary of Labor, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and Ambassador to the United Nations.

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