Slow Burn – S8 Ep. 2: Smiling Faces

Intro

In this episode of the “Slow Burn” podcast titled “Smiling Faces,” the focus is on Clarence Thomas and his journey from his time at Holy Cross to his transformation into a black conservative. The episode explores Thomas’ experiences with interracial dating, his views on affirmative action, and his shift to the right. It also delves into Thomas’ controversial comments about his sister and the impact on his personal life. Join us as we uncover the key moments that shaped Clarence Thomas’ political beliefs and his rise in the Reagan era.

Main Takeaways

Clarence Thomas’ Struggles at Holy Cross

• Clarence Thomas excelled in his studies and debates at Holy Cross, but struggled with dating women.
• Holy Cross was a mostly white, all-male school, making it difficult for black men to find women to date.
• Thomas strongly disapproved of interracial dating and believed black men had a responsibility to defend black women’s dignity.
• Eddie Jenkins, Thomas’ friend, helped him meet Kathy Ambush, whom Thomas fell in love with and married after graduation.

The Rise of Affirmative Action

• Affirmative action was a new solution to a long-standing problem of opportunity and employment for black people.
• JFK was the first president to call for affirmative action in the modern sense of the term.
• Lyndon Johnson tried to make affirmative action into the law of the land, but it got scrapped.
• Richard Nixon resurrected affirmative action and introduced positive discrimination to rectify historical wrongs.
• Yale Law School created its first explicit affirmative action program in 1971 to set minority enrollment at about 10% of the incoming class for the purpose of diversity.

Clarence Thomas’ Journey at Yale Law School

• Clarence Thomas got accepted to Yale at the time of the program.
• Thomas believed he earned his spot at Yale and hadn’t received special treatment due to his race.
• Thomas faced challenges and discrimination during his time at Yale Law School.
• Affirmative action can lead to doubts about the accomplishments of minority students.
• Clarence Thomas faced isolation and financial struggles during his time at Yale Law School.

Clarence Thomas’ Shift to the Right

• Clarence Thomas found himself as a black conservative in a mostly white ideological revolution.
• John Bolton, Donald Trump’s national security adviser, played a role in Thomas’ shift to the right by challenging his belief in government intervention.
• Thomas still didn’t think of himself as conservative until he met John Danforth, who offered him a job in the Republican Attorney General’s office for the State of Missouri.
• Thomas was the only black lawyer on the attorney general staff but felt at ease and became popular among his peers.

Controversial Comments and Rise in the Reagan Era

• Clarence Thomas’ conservative views were not popular among civil rights activists, but resonated with him and many Black people.
• Thomas criticized civil rights leaders like Jesse Jackson for seeing black people as a monolith of poor downtrodden folk.
• Thomas’ comments about his sister being dependent on welfare caused controversy among black people.
• Clarence Thomas gained powerful fans among white conservatives in the Reagan era.
• Despite the controversy, Thomas gained powerful fans among white conservatives in the Reagan era.

Summary

Clarence Thomas’ Struggles and Beliefs

Clarence Thomas’ time at Holy Cross was marked by his academic success but difficulties in finding romantic relationships due to the school’s predominantly white and all-male environment. Thomas held strong disapproval of interracial dating and believed black men had a responsibility to protect the dignity of black women. However, he eventually found love and married Kathy Ambush. Thomas also planned to become a civil rights attorney to address racial wrongs in his hometown after graduating from Yale Law School.

The Rise of Affirmative Action

Affirmative action emerged as a solution to address long-standing issues of opportunity and employment for black individuals. Presidents like JFK and Richard Nixon played significant roles in advocating for affirmative action. Yale Law School implemented its first explicit affirmative action program in 1971, which impacted Thomas’ acceptance. However, Thomas believed he earned his spot at Yale based on merit rather than special treatment.

Clarence Thomas’ Journey at Yale Law School

During his time at Yale Law School, Clarence Thomas faced challenges and discrimination. The presence of affirmative action led to doubts about the accomplishments of minority students. Thomas experienced isolation and financial struggles. He found himself questioning the value of his Yale law degree due to potential doubts from top law firms about his qualifications resulting from affirmative action.

Clarence Thomas’ Shift to the Right

Clarence Thomas underwent a transformation from a black liberal to a black conservative. Influenced by figures like John Bolton and John Danforth, Thomas began challenging his belief in government intervention and embracing conservative ideals. He found acceptance and popularity among his peers while working in the Republican Attorney General’s office for the State of Missouri.

Controversial Comments and Rise in the Reagan Era

Clarence Thomas’ conservative views, including his opposition to affirmative action, rent control, and minimum wage laws, garnered support among white conservatives in the Reagan era. However, his comments about his sister being dependent on welfare caused controversy and divided opinions among black people. Despite the controversy, Thomas gained powerful fans among white conservatives and was invited to join the Reagan Transition team.

Conclusion

Clarence Thomas’ journey from his struggles at Holy Cross to his transformation into a black conservative is a complex and nuanced story. His experiences with interracial dating, affirmative action, and his shift to the right shaped his political beliefs. Thomas’ controversial comments and rise in the Reagan era further solidified his position as a prominent figure in conservative circles. Tune in to future episodes of the “Slow Burn” podcast to learn more about the fascinating journey of Clarence Thomas.