Daily Read: American Sociological Ass'n Takes Issue With CJ Roberts

Professor Ruthann Robson, City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law

 In an open letter to Chief Justice Roberts, the President of the American Sociological Association, Eduardo Bonilla-Silva, responded to the Roberts's comment during the Gill v. Whitford oral argument that social science data regarding partisan gerrymandering was "sociological gobbledygook." 

After noting that during the oral argument "Justices Kagan and Sotomayor subsequently expressed concern about your statement and spoke to the value of social science measures," President Bonilla-Silva continued:

In an era when facts are often dismissed as “fake news,” we are particularly concerned about a person of your stature suggesting to the public that scientific measurement is not valid or reliable and that expertise should not be trusted.  What you call “gobbledygook” is rigorous and empirical.  The following are just a few examples of the contributions of sociological research to American society that our members offered in response to your comment:

• Clear evidence that separate is not equal
• Early algorithms for detecting credit card fraud
• Mapped connections between racism and physiologic stress response
• Network analysis to identify and thwart terror structures and capture terrorists
• Pay grades and reward systems that improve retention among enlisted soldiers
• Modern public opinion polling
• Evidence of gender discrimination in the workplace
• Understanding of the family factors that impact outcomes for children
• Guidance for police in defusing high-risk encounters
• Strategies for combatting the public health challenge of drug abuse

President Bonilla-Silva also offered additional training for Chief Justice Roberts:

Should you be interested in enhancing your education in this area, we would be glad to put together a group of nationally and internationally renowned sociologists to meet with you and your staff. Given the important ways in which sociological data can and has informed thoughtful decision-making from the bench, such time would be well spent.

Indeed, during the oral argument Chief Justice Roberts did comment that his "goobledygook" perspective might be attributable to "simply my educational background." 

There has not yet been a reported response from the Chief Justice.