Slow Burn – S8 Live Announcement & Bonus Conversation

Intro

In this episode of Slow Burn, the podcast announces an upcoming live event in Washington, D.C. and dives into a bonus conversation about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The episode explores Thomas’ complicated relationship with affirmative action, his difficult upbringing, and his search for affectional love. It also delves into his views on the Republican Party, racism, and his perspective on gender bias.

Main Takeaways

Supreme Court and Affirmative Action

• Supreme Court eliminates race-based admissions in higher education.
• Clarence Thomas was part of the majority in the 6-3 ruling and wrote a concurrence attacking such admissions programs.
• Affirmative action programs can be seen as erasing academic accomplishments.
• Clarence Thomas benefited from affirmative action but insists it had nothing to do with his success.

Clarence Thomas’ Upbringing and Identity

• Justice Thomas is someone who’s looking for a home, and affectional love was not shown toward him in his difficult upbringing.
• Young Clarence Thomas was drawn to the Black Panther movement for their coolness and style.
• He later found acceptance and opportunities in the Republican Party, which was seductive with its money and recruitment.
• People who know him well describe him as warm, kind, and funny, but his anger is also sincere and honed over the years.

Clarence Thomas’ Perspective on Affirmative Action

• Clarence Thomas finds comfort in the directness of the extreme conservative legal movement, even if he doesn’t agree with all of their policies.
• He prefers people who are straightforward about their racism rather than those who nod and wink about it.
• Thomas’ perspective on affirmative action is not unique among black people.
• Clarence Thomas chose a pathway that was not common among black people, which was to oppose affirmative action.

Gender Bias and Anita Hill

• Anita Hill’s confirmation process revealed gender bias and a lack of understanding of women’s challenges.
• Some men believe Hill was trying to attack a black man and was a tool of white liberals.
• Republican supporters behind Clarence Thomas dismiss Hill’s pain and allegations.
• John Danforth, who gave Thomas his first job out of college, never watched Hill’s testimony and didn’t care to interrogate the allegations.

Summary

Clarence Thomas’ Complex Journey

Clarence Thomas, a Supreme Court Justice, has had a complex journey shaped by his difficult upbringing and his views on affirmative action. He benefited from affirmative action but believes it had nothing to do with his success. Thomas found acceptance in the Republican Party, which he sees as similar to his harsh and honest grandfather. He prefers people who are straightforward about their racism and opposes affirmative action, a perspective not uncommon among black individuals. However, his views on gender bias and his dismissal of Anita Hill’s allegations have faced criticism.

The Impact of Supreme Court’s Ruling

The Supreme Court’s ruling on race-based admissions in higher education eliminates such programs, with Clarence Thomas being part of the majority. Affirmative action programs have been seen as erasing academic accomplishments, and Thomas’ personal experience raises questions about the effectiveness of these programs in providing equal opportunities.

Clarence Thomas’ Search for Affectional Love

Thomas’ difficult upbringing and lack of affectional love have shaped his identity and search for a sense of belonging. He was drawn to the Black Panther movement for its coolness and style but ultimately found acceptance in the Republican Party. Despite his warm and kind personality, his anger towards perceived enemies stems from his challenging upbringing and resentment towards those who made his life difficult.

Gender Bias and Anita Hill’s Allegations

The confirmation process of Clarence Thomas brought to light gender bias and a lack of understanding of women’s challenges. Some men dismissed Anita Hill’s pain and allegations, viewing her as a tool of white liberals attacking a black man. Thomas’ supporters, including John Danforth, showed a lack of interest in interrogating the allegations, raising questions about the treatment of women’s experiences and the importance of addressing gender bias.

Conclusion

Clarence Thomas’ journey and views on affirmative action, race, and gender bias reveal the complexities and debates surrounding these issues. His personal experiences and upbringing have shaped his perspective, leading to both admiration and criticism. Understanding the nuances of these discussions is crucial for addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring equal opportunities for all.