I enjoyed this and learned a few things. ABC bring one. I was terribly saddened by what Clarence Thomas had to endure. Makes me wonder when racism will ever end. I’ve also been on the receiving end. Thank you. I loved it.
I often wonder if all humans are inherently racists. If we all do not see the differences between "them" and "us" such as skin color, eye shape, and body build as some how threatening. I don't know if this is learned behavior or instinctive. The truly abhorrent part of this is the assumption that "we" are better and entitled to a different standard of treatment. I, too, do not agree with the decisions of Justice Thomas but we cannot retroactively apply a different standard of conduct on him that has not been universally applied to others.
NOTE 2: Perhaps I should have mentioned this in the essay itself, but after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, nobody took to Twitter to hurl racial epithets at Justice Alito, whose background is Italian. But Thomas, on the other hand, was racially singled out and targeted as the social media platform was flooded with the N-word. I don't like Thomas as a judge, but I really think the racial dimension and double standard to the current "expensive gifts" story needs to be called out.
NOTE: While researching this piece, I came across Saturday Night Live's cold-open skit during the Thomas confirmation hearings. Although I couldn't find a place for it within today's essay, I'm including a link here for anyone who might be interested in SNL's take while all that was going on.https://youtu.be/shkJfRpktGc
Your last paragraph nails it. I think most of the outrage directed toward Clarence Thomas is because “he’s Black - and conservative”. The links in this essay are excellent! I always appreciate your measured approach to controversial issues, Andrew.
No question that many people are delighted to finally get the chance to come down on the black guy hard without being called out. It's just another example of how racism poisons everything in our country. Can we get past it? It will be hard. We'll see. The critical thing is to try to focus on the issue of corruption, which will mean widening the focus to the entire SCOTUS. Even further would be nice, of course.
I enjoyed this and learned a few things. ABC bring one. I was terribly saddened by what Clarence Thomas had to endure. Makes me wonder when racism will ever end. I’ve also been on the receiving end. Thank you. I loved it.
“All whites are racist”. Must make for interesting dinner conversation with Gianni since the never discuss politics.
I often wonder if all humans are inherently racists. If we all do not see the differences between "them" and "us" such as skin color, eye shape, and body build as some how threatening. I don't know if this is learned behavior or instinctive. The truly abhorrent part of this is the assumption that "we" are better and entitled to a different standard of treatment. I, too, do not agree with the decisions of Justice Thomas but we cannot retroactively apply a different standard of conduct on him that has not been universally applied to others.
NOTE 3: Here's a link to the new Frontline documentary about Thomas, which will begin airing on PBS on Tuesday, May 9th. CLARENCE & GINNI THOMAS: Politics, Power, and the Supreme Court https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/clarence-and-ginni-thomas/
NOTE 2: Perhaps I should have mentioned this in the essay itself, but after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, nobody took to Twitter to hurl racial epithets at Justice Alito, whose background is Italian. But Thomas, on the other hand, was racially singled out and targeted as the social media platform was flooded with the N-word. I don't like Thomas as a judge, but I really think the racial dimension and double standard to the current "expensive gifts" story needs to be called out.
NOTE: While researching this piece, I came across Saturday Night Live's cold-open skit during the Thomas confirmation hearings. Although I couldn't find a place for it within today's essay, I'm including a link here for anyone who might be interested in SNL's take while all that was going on.https://youtu.be/shkJfRpktGc
Your last paragraph nails it. I think most of the outrage directed toward Clarence Thomas is because “he’s Black - and conservative”. The links in this essay are excellent! I always appreciate your measured approach to controversial issues, Andrew.
No question that many people are delighted to finally get the chance to come down on the black guy hard without being called out. It's just another example of how racism poisons everything in our country. Can we get past it? It will be hard. We'll see. The critical thing is to try to focus on the issue of corruption, which will mean widening the focus to the entire SCOTUS. Even further would be nice, of course.