“Rules for thee but not for me.” Interracial marriage is bad, except when I have it. Affirmative action admissions are bad, except my career path took me to the top of the judiciary. Other federal judges have to disclose gifts, but I don’t. Government shouldn’t lift people up, except I’m going to draw a government paycheck most of my professional life.
Even though he didn’t complete seminary, sounds like he has a God complex anyway.
It saddens me that he blames the tool that leveled the playing field that helped him achieve his success, rather than the people used racism to denigrate him. I’m not educated on affirmative action to truly understand the ins and outs of how successful or not it was, but hate was the reason he suffered, not policy.
I was having a hard time articulating how I felt after reading about his experiences and this is it. There was so much hate directed at him all because of his skin color.
I would love to see you do something on constitutional originalism. It feels like a bunch of “flat earthers” to me but I’m sure there are some good reasons that smart people cling to words written centuries ago by white men wearing wigs. I also feel like we care so much about the Supreme Court and it seems to wield such power now because Congress has been neutered by its own ineptitude. Let’s never forget that while the Supreme Court was established within the constitution, that same constitution that Thomas holds so literally dear allows that Congress can decide its shape and form. Shame on Congress for not reforming the courts. We are a weak and fragile democracy.
A series explaining all of the different philosophies, where they originated and how they came to be this current iteration would be fascinating-and help in understanding better how they rule
Oooooooooo this makes me wonder about some of the SCOTUS reforms that have been floated like 18yr term with a new appointment every 2 years.
In order to avoid staking the court, via Justice's leaving ahead of the completion of their term limit, it would seem we would also want rules around seats that are vacated early.
For example, if a Justice steps down or becomes unable to finish out their term, the current President can appoint an interim Justice for replacement, however that seat is still up for replacement at its original term limit. So if a Justice only serves 17 yrs of their term, an interim Justice takes over for 1 yr to finish out the original 18 yr term and then after that year the current President appoints a Justice for the next 18yr term. And in that case, maybe the interim Justice can only be appointed to the next 18yr term if they have served a vacated position for 2 years or less? Just throwing ideas out there. 🙃
Very well put Jeanne. Congress is truly to blame for the mess in the court. I feel the work that needs to be done to even begin fixing it will take decades. But how long do we have as a nation before we aren’t able to fix it? The precipice is looming and some people in this nation want to shove us off.
This was a difficult read. It's hard for me to reconcile who Thomas was and who he is today.
I would hope that someone who felt the effects and omnipresence of racism in our culture would use their power and influence to protect access to work skills, education, and business experience for those who have been minoritized. Especially when he says he believes that those have proven to be the most successful keys in helping Black people.
He blamed affirmative action for the discrimination he was subject to at Yale. Racism is what caused his peers at Yale to see him as unworthy, not affirmative action. Policy can protect access, it cannot prevent racism. Removing protections to access for minoritized people doesn't not reduce discrimination, it allows it to thrive.
I have a hard time understanding his positions today, especially in the context of his history.
How does he justify waiting for Trump before contemplating retirement? He’s now using conservatism as justification for being that “water moccasin”. The embodiment of a life and career hypocrite .
Same reason that lots of liberals were mad at Ginsburg for not retiring while Obama was in office. Except, unlike Ginsburg, he believes that the Court should reflect political views.
Has he ever addressed his change in belief about interracial marriage? Obviously meeting his wife had an impact, but I'm just curious if he's ever publicly discussed it.
I would also be curious if he ever addressed his change in belief about asking questions during hearings. Obviously, being the first to ask questions at hearings is quite an influential role. So between that and his own interracial marriage, it makes me curious of he only shifts his mindset when it serves him personally...
I would like to understand, how he can practice consistently his originalist views of the constitution while also having an interracial marriage? Particularly, since he was against it until he met someone himself. He seems very much like an “ok for me, but not for you” personality and that undermines his credibility in my opinion.
It seems like Thomas has spent his life trying to “get back” at all those people who (very wrongly) hurt him on his way up. Sometimes this kind of background can bring out empathy in folks. Does not seem to have happened with Thomas.
I wonder if he thinks he's still "getting back" at them by accepting unethical gifts. It seems incongruous with his "originality" position on the Court. Or has he forgotten who he's supposed to be getting "back" at?
It was heartbreaking to read how Thomas was treated in his youth. It gave context and humanized Thomas a bit for me. But, as others have noted, I wish he'd have transformed that pain into good for others rather than buying in to the fiction of rugged individualism and "good for me but not for thee" that today's conservatives seem to embrace. If you're a bootstrapper, surely you'll insist on paying for your own vacations, my man.
I appreciate this bio and look forward to learning about the other justices. I enjoy your writing style so much, focusing on facts without being dry and avoiding so much of the hyperbole and opinion that prevents me from respecting other history/political writers. Your enthusiasm for history, government and politics is contagious.
I totally understand that Thomas’s early opportunities resulted in racism directed at him and others at that time, but it doesn’t negate the value of his education. Many people of color suffered and still suffer from racism, without the benefit of attending Yale. To condemn that which gave him an opening for future success seems bitter. He’s clearly a man of high intelligence, so it does seem that he has never recovered from ill treatment, and sadly the racists just moved on in their hate, and somehow it feels like it attached to him despite his tremendous success and place of honor. That saddens me for him and all who are affected by him. To think of who he might have been if he had been able to overcome like MLK. I disagree with him that all the protests, movements and political actions of civil rights activists did not make a difference. It must feel slow moving for sure, and there is always much to do in the battle for good, but any effort toward a better world is more valuable than giving up to the haters, whether you’re a person of color, female or LGBTQ+.
It is fascinating to see these justices as humans and not just as the caricatures that the media presents. Thank you for this series!
Thank you for this! Some of these nine people tend to drive me crazy more often than not, so I'm very much looking forward to humanizing them through this series. ❤️
What he suffered because of the color of his skin is heartbreaking. He could have easily turned all of that towards hatred and anger towards the world around home. I admire his efforts to work for change as his went through college. But I t sounds as though he tired from the fight against prejudice and bad politics in the American system, and decided it was easier and to his benefit to join the system he had so despised. It’s sad and I think speaks to the way a lot of Americans feel when trying to stand up for their beliefs or make themselves heard and understood. Screaming into the wind, we become resigned to trying to find sense in and support for the things we feel unable to change.
How do originalists deal with the fact that the constitution has 2 ways to amend it within the document? It seems like Clarence Thomas ignores the fact that the framers *intended* for the constitution to be changed. It has seemed like, especially recently, CT has already made up his mind about a case, long before oral arguments etc, and that he cherry picks things from history to support his viewpoint. Does anyone else feel this way?
I'd love more info on originalism in our modern context. How does CT justify originalism with the 3/5 compromise? Women not being able to vote? Those are surely the founding fathers thoughts... But I was under the impression most of us agree those were necessary changes?
Also watching the Supreme Court hearings with Thomas and Anita Hill was such a gut punch. Pivotal experience for me as a young not -real-political woman.
I agree. I was a new mom sitting at home with a newborn and I watched every minute of the hearings. The treatment and accusations against a woman has sadly changed very little. They must be lying, they must be mentally ill… And , boys will be boys. I believed her then, and I still believe her.
Thank you! So similar for me! I was pregnant with my first born and I watched and believed her! It is etched in my mind and heart! I still believe her.
“Rules for thee but not for me.” Interracial marriage is bad, except when I have it. Affirmative action admissions are bad, except my career path took me to the top of the judiciary. Other federal judges have to disclose gifts, but I don’t. Government shouldn’t lift people up, except I’m going to draw a government paycheck most of my professional life.
Even though he didn’t complete seminary, sounds like he has a God complex anyway.
It saddens me that he blames the tool that leveled the playing field that helped him achieve his success, rather than the people used racism to denigrate him. I’m not educated on affirmative action to truly understand the ins and outs of how successful or not it was, but hate was the reason he suffered, not policy.
I was having a hard time articulating how I felt after reading about his experiences and this is it. There was so much hate directed at him all because of his skin color.
There was so much hate directed toward him because of racism ♥️♥️♥️
I would love to see you do something on constitutional originalism. It feels like a bunch of “flat earthers” to me but I’m sure there are some good reasons that smart people cling to words written centuries ago by white men wearing wigs. I also feel like we care so much about the Supreme Court and it seems to wield such power now because Congress has been neutered by its own ineptitude. Let’s never forget that while the Supreme Court was established within the constitution, that same constitution that Thomas holds so literally dear allows that Congress can decide its shape and form. Shame on Congress for not reforming the courts. We are a weak and fragile democracy.
A series explaining all of the different philosophies, where they originated and how they came to be this current iteration would be fascinating-and help in understanding better how they rule
Oooooooooo this makes me wonder about some of the SCOTUS reforms that have been floated like 18yr term with a new appointment every 2 years.
In order to avoid staking the court, via Justice's leaving ahead of the completion of their term limit, it would seem we would also want rules around seats that are vacated early.
For example, if a Justice steps down or becomes unable to finish out their term, the current President can appoint an interim Justice for replacement, however that seat is still up for replacement at its original term limit. So if a Justice only serves 17 yrs of their term, an interim Justice takes over for 1 yr to finish out the original 18 yr term and then after that year the current President appoints a Justice for the next 18yr term. And in that case, maybe the interim Justice can only be appointed to the next 18yr term if they have served a vacated position for 2 years or less? Just throwing ideas out there. 🙃
Very well put Jeanne. Congress is truly to blame for the mess in the court. I feel the work that needs to be done to even begin fixing it will take decades. But how long do we have as a nation before we aren’t able to fix it? The precipice is looming and some people in this nation want to shove us off.
This was a difficult read. It's hard for me to reconcile who Thomas was and who he is today.
I would hope that someone who felt the effects and omnipresence of racism in our culture would use their power and influence to protect access to work skills, education, and business experience for those who have been minoritized. Especially when he says he believes that those have proven to be the most successful keys in helping Black people.
He blamed affirmative action for the discrimination he was subject to at Yale. Racism is what caused his peers at Yale to see him as unworthy, not affirmative action. Policy can protect access, it cannot prevent racism. Removing protections to access for minoritized people doesn't not reduce discrimination, it allows it to thrive.
I have a hard time understanding his positions today, especially in the context of his history.
How does he justify waiting for Trump before contemplating retirement? He’s now using conservatism as justification for being that “water moccasin”. The embodiment of a life and career hypocrite .
Anita Hill deserved much better.
Same reason that lots of liberals were mad at Ginsburg for not retiring while Obama was in office. Except, unlike Ginsburg, he believes that the Court should reflect political views.
Has he ever addressed his change in belief about interracial marriage? Obviously meeting his wife had an impact, but I'm just curious if he's ever publicly discussed it.
That’s a good question that I am curious about too
I would also be curious if he ever addressed his change in belief about asking questions during hearings. Obviously, being the first to ask questions at hearings is quite an influential role. So between that and his own interracial marriage, it makes me curious of he only shifts his mindset when it serves him personally...
He has. NY Mag did a piece last year. Sounds like true love with a little bit of “I’m so broke I need a rich wife” sprinkled on top.
Good question!
I would like to understand, how he can practice consistently his originalist views of the constitution while also having an interracial marriage? Particularly, since he was against it until he met someone himself. He seems very much like an “ok for me, but not for you” personality and that undermines his credibility in my opinion.
It seems like Thomas has spent his life trying to “get back” at all those people who (very wrongly) hurt him on his way up. Sometimes this kind of background can bring out empathy in folks. Does not seem to have happened with Thomas.
I wonder if he thinks he's still "getting back" at them by accepting unethical gifts. It seems incongruous with his "originality" position on the Court. Or has he forgotten who he's supposed to be getting "back" at?
It was heartbreaking to read how Thomas was treated in his youth. It gave context and humanized Thomas a bit for me. But, as others have noted, I wish he'd have transformed that pain into good for others rather than buying in to the fiction of rugged individualism and "good for me but not for thee" that today's conservatives seem to embrace. If you're a bootstrapper, surely you'll insist on paying for your own vacations, my man.
When deciding cases, originalists--including Thomas--must consider not only the framers' intent, but also what the framers never intended.
I appreciate this bio and look forward to learning about the other justices. I enjoy your writing style so much, focusing on facts without being dry and avoiding so much of the hyperbole and opinion that prevents me from respecting other history/political writers. Your enthusiasm for history, government and politics is contagious.
I totally understand that Thomas’s early opportunities resulted in racism directed at him and others at that time, but it doesn’t negate the value of his education. Many people of color suffered and still suffer from racism, without the benefit of attending Yale. To condemn that which gave him an opening for future success seems bitter. He’s clearly a man of high intelligence, so it does seem that he has never recovered from ill treatment, and sadly the racists just moved on in their hate, and somehow it feels like it attached to him despite his tremendous success and place of honor. That saddens me for him and all who are affected by him. To think of who he might have been if he had been able to overcome like MLK. I disagree with him that all the protests, movements and political actions of civil rights activists did not make a difference. It must feel slow moving for sure, and there is always much to do in the battle for good, but any effort toward a better world is more valuable than giving up to the haters, whether you’re a person of color, female or LGBTQ+.
It is fascinating to see these justices as humans and not just as the caricatures that the media presents. Thank you for this series!
Thank you for this! Some of these nine people tend to drive me crazy more often than not, so I'm very much looking forward to humanizing them through this series. ❤️
What he suffered because of the color of his skin is heartbreaking. He could have easily turned all of that towards hatred and anger towards the world around home. I admire his efforts to work for change as his went through college. But I t sounds as though he tired from the fight against prejudice and bad politics in the American system, and decided it was easier and to his benefit to join the system he had so despised. It’s sad and I think speaks to the way a lot of Americans feel when trying to stand up for their beliefs or make themselves heard and understood. Screaming into the wind, we become resigned to trying to find sense in and support for the things we feel unable to change.
How do originalists deal with the fact that the constitution has 2 ways to amend it within the document? It seems like Clarence Thomas ignores the fact that the framers *intended* for the constitution to be changed. It has seemed like, especially recently, CT has already made up his mind about a case, long before oral arguments etc, and that he cherry picks things from history to support his viewpoint. Does anyone else feel this way?
Stephanie, I agree with what you said completely.
I'd love more info on originalism in our modern context. How does CT justify originalism with the 3/5 compromise? Women not being able to vote? Those are surely the founding fathers thoughts... But I was under the impression most of us agree those were necessary changes?
Also watching the Supreme Court hearings with Thomas and Anita Hill was such a gut punch. Pivotal experience for me as a young not -real-political woman.
I agree. I was a new mom sitting at home with a newborn and I watched every minute of the hearings. The treatment and accusations against a woman has sadly changed very little. They must be lying, they must be mentally ill… And , boys will be boys. I believed her then, and I still believe her.
Thank you! So similar for me! I was pregnant with my first born and I watched and believed her! It is etched in my mind and heart! I still believe her.
Yep
Same with me. I believed her then and was so discouraged by the way she was treated.