Slow Burn – S8 Ep. 4: A National Disgrace

Intro

In this episode of Slow Burn, titled “S8 Ep. 4: A National Disgrace,” the focus is on the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and the sexual harassment allegations made by Anita Hill. The episode explores the impact of these accusations on Thomas, Hill, and the nation as a whole.

Main Takeaways

Investigation and Accusations

• George Kasouf’s job was to investigate potential federal court nominees for The Alliance for Justice.
• Kasouf built the world’s most comprehensive Clarence Thomas Dossier.
• Kasouf received a call in July 1991 about a woman who had been sexually harassed by Clarence Thomas.
• Anita Hill’s name was found in a directory and contacted by Kasouf.
• Anita Hill’s accusations sparked nationwide conversations about racism and sexual harassment.

Confirmation Hearings

• Clarence Thomas’ confirmation hearings initially lacked controversy or suspense.
• Anita Hill’s accusations emerged two days before the senators were scheduled to vote.
• Hill had initially hoped Thomas would be her mentor but ended up in the hospital due to stress-related stomach pains.
• The controversy surrounding Thomas stemmed from his tenure as head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
• Hill became a target of death and rape threats after going public with her story.

Testimonies and Discrediting

• Clarence Thomas denied Hill’s allegations and had conservative allies supporting him.
• The Judiciary Committee reopened the hearings with limited scope and no comprehensive investigation.
• Thomas testified first and last, while there were no ground rules for Anita Hill.
• Attempts were made to discredit Hill by accusing her of being a scorned lover, a lesbian, and a radical feminist.
• Thomas used the term “high-tech lynching” to describe the accusations against him, using race to his advantage.

Additional Witnesses

• Angela Wright and Rose Jordaine were two additional women who had negative experiences with Thomas.
• Attempts were made to subpoena Wright and transport Jordaine from the hospital to testify.
• The Judiciary Committee interviewed another potential witness.
• Three other women were scheduled to testify: Angela Wright, Rose Jordain, and Sakari Hartnet.
• Joe Biden did not call Wright to testify, despite her waiting in the wings.

Confirmation and Aftermath

• Clarence Thomas was confirmed by the Senate with the smallest margin for a Supreme Court nominee in over a century.
• Thomas’ allies learned the lesson that the best defense is a good offense.
• Thomas has become a revered figure in the conservative movement and has influenced significant decisions.
• Thomas’ confirmation process had a lasting impact on Anita Hill and his relationship with Joe Biden.
• Thomas’ vision of the Supreme Court as a political juggernaut for the far right has been realized.

Summary

Investigation and Accusations

The episode begins by introducing George Kasouf, whose role was to investigate potential federal court nominees for The Alliance for Justice. Kasouf became an expert on Clarence Thomas and built an extensive dossier on him. He received a call about a woman who had been sexually harassed by Thomas, leading him to contact Anita Hill. Hill’s accusations ignited nationwide conversations about racism and sexual harassment.

Confirmation Hearings

The confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas initially lacked controversy or suspense. However, just two days before the senators were set to vote, Anita Hill’s accusations emerged. Hill had initially hoped Thomas would be her mentor but ended up in the hospital due to stress-related stomach pains. The controversy surrounding Thomas stemmed from his stormy tenure as head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Hill faced threats and harassment after going public with her story.

Testimonies and Discrediting

Clarence Thomas denied Anita Hill’s allegations and had conservative allies supporting him. The Judiciary Committee decided to reopen the hearings with limited scope and no comprehensive investigation. Thomas was given the opportunity to testify first and last, while there were no ground rules for Hill. Attempts were made to discredit Hill by accusing her of various things, including being a scorned lover and a radical feminist. Thomas used the term “high-tech lynching” to describe the accusations against him, leveraging race to his advantage.

Additional Witnesses

Angela Wright and Rose Jordaine were two additional women who had negative experiences with Clarence Thomas. Efforts were made to subpoena Wright and arrange for Jordaine to testify, even though she was bedridden in the hospital. The Judiciary Committee also interviewed another potential witness. In addition to Anita Hill, three other women were scheduled to testify: Angela Wright, Rose Jordain, and Sakari Hartnet. However, Joe Biden did not call Wright to testify.

Confirmation and Aftermath

Despite the controversy, Clarence Thomas was confirmed by the Senate with the smallest margin for a Supreme Court nominee in over a century. Thomas’ allies learned that the best defense is a good offense. He has since become a revered figure in the conservative movement and has influenced significant decisions. The confirmation process had a lasting impact on Anita Hill and strained Thomas’ relationship with Joe Biden. Thomas’ vision of the Supreme Court as a political juggernaut for the far right has been realized.

Conclusion

The confirmation hearings of Clarence Thomas and the sexual harassment allegations made by Anita Hill had a profound impact on both individuals and the nation as a whole. The controversy surrounding Thomas’ confirmation process and the subsequent confirmation itself have shaped the trajectory of the Supreme Court. Anita Hill’s bravery in coming forward sparked important conversations about racism and sexual harassment. The legacy of these events continues to influence the political landscape and the perception of the Supreme Court.