America has a deeply confused image of itself that is in perpetual tension. We are a nation that takes pride in our ethnic diver
sity, recognizing its importance in shaping our society and in adding richness to its existence. Yet, we simultaneously insist that we can and must function and live in a race- and color-blind way that ignores these very differences that in other contexts we laud. –“A Latina Judge’s Voice,”
Sonia Sotomayor
How do the underlined phrases affect the meaning and tone of this passage?
