Suspended Justice
By Keith Boykin, in politics·race
Monday, October 8 2007, 2:17AM
We just talked about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas last week, but today there's more to add. Frank Rich's column in Sunday's New York Times provides an excellent analysis of last week's fawning media coverage of Thomas, and more importantly, of Thomas's own tortured logic. The piece, appropriately titled, Nobody Knows the Lynchings He’s Seen, starts out with a searing critique of Thomas's effort to portray himself as a victim.
"What's the difference between a low-tech lynching and a high-tech lynching?" asks Rich. "A high-tech lynching brings a tenured job on the Supreme Court and a $1.5 million book deal. A low-tech lynching, not so much." As Rich points out, "Since kicking off his book tour on '60 Minutes' last Sunday, [Thomas] has been whining all the way to the bank."
Don't Cry For Me, Town of Jena
For those of you who were persuaded by last week's "60 Minutes" interview to have any sympathy toward Thomas, Rich's op-ed explains why you should hold back your tears. Thomas lashes out with "unreconstructed racial bitterness" toward an enemies' list in his book that includes Anita Hill, Joe Biden, opponents of his nomination, Yale Law School, the media, "elite white women," "paternalistic big-city whites" and "light-skinned blacks," according to Rich. And yet Thomas has nothing but praise for the former racist segregationist South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond, who supported him in 1991.
Thomas's latest sympathy ploy – the first was the characterization of his nomination battle as a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks – follows a Supreme Court decision this year outlawing voluntary school desegregation plans, Rich reminds us. While Thomas pleads for understanding in his new book and publicity campaign, Rich identifies the real victims in America's race politics.
Thomas's sympathy plea "follows yet another vote by the Senate to deny true Congressional representation to the majority black District of Columbia. It follows the decision by the leading Republican presidential candidates to snub a debate at a historically black college as well as the re-emergence of a low-tech lynching noose in Jena, Louisiana."
Clarence Thomas, as Rich sees it, "still preaches against black self-pity even as he hyperbolically tries to cast his Senate cross-examination by Joe Biden as tantamount to the Ku Klux Klan assassination of Medgar Evers. He still denies that he is the beneficiary of the very race-based preferences he deplores. He still has a dubious relationship with the whole truth and nothing but, and not merely in the matter of Anita Hill."
Even CNN's legal correspondent Jeffrey Toobin, the author of the new book about the Supreme Court, "The Nine," has said that it was "real unfair" for "60 Minutes" not to include a response from Anita Hill, who Thomas attacked in the CBS interview as "not the demure, religious, conservative person" she said she was. Professor Hill told Rich that CBS News was the only one of the three broadcast news divisions that did not seek her reaction to Thomas's most recent attacks.
Right-Wing Racism
Although we rightly focus our attention on Clarence Thomas, the problem is actually bigger than one man. "Justice Thomas, elevated by Bush 41, was the crucial building block in what will probably prove the most enduring legacy of Bush 43, a radical Supreme Court," Rich observes. I will go farther than Rich. The mere existence of a Clarence Thomas as the sole black voice on the Supreme Court is a reflection of just how racist the entire Republican Party has become. Thomas's presence on the court also reflects the lie that George W. Bush could ever be a uniter and not a divider. Notes Rich: "The 'compassionate conservative' who turned the 2000 G.O.P. convention into a minstrel show to prove his love of diversity will exit the political stage as the man who tilted American jurisprudence against Brown v. Board of Education. He leaves no black Republican behind him in either the House or Senate."
I ran into Cornel West last week at the launch of Tavis Smiley's new publishing company, Smiley Books, and I thanked him for publicly challenging "60 Minutes" on their puff piece about Thomas. The liberal attack on Clarence Thomas is not about personality, as "60 Minutes" suggested. Nor is it about political correctness or unanimity of opinion among African Americans. Instead, it's about the right-wing's cynical and racist effort to appoint a black man to do the dirty work of minimizing and undermining the concerns of black people.
As Lyndon Johnson predicted in 1964, those tactics have worked for Republicans for a generation. And I have no doubt that some of the tactics will continue to work in the near future. But mark my words, the Republican Party will rue the day when racism became a part of their strategy to maintain their power. The people of color in this country will one day outnumber the white people in America, and when they do, all those who practiced and endorsed racism to protect their privilege will have hell to pay. And all the Uncle Toms who stood by silently or assisted in the destruction of their own communities will have even more explaining to do.
Perhaps Frank Rich said it best. Noting the rapid demise of Virginia's former Senator George Allen last year, Rich predicted: "Republicans who play the race card may find that it has an expiration date even in the South."
Comments conceal
Alto
October 8 2007, 2:38AM
Big ups Keith for your love of exposing and red-flagging hypocrites as such.
Derrick from PHilly
October 8 2007, 11:44AM
If Judge Thomas looked like that young man (James) from "Lost" that you have "OUt in Left Field", I could forgive him, I'd overlook all his right-wing crap, I'd...I'd...I'd lick his right-wing and his left-wing and all his other right and left body parts.
Ostend Street
October 8 2007, 12:06PM
Thanks Keith for the great update. History truly isn't finished with Uncle Clarence Thomas yet.
Regan DuCasse
October 8 2007, 3:31PM
I was listening to Sean Hannity interview Thomas, and it was unbelievable. It's true, Thomas played the 'they were all out to get me' card from the bottom of the deck. And, when it comes time for gay couples and their various stories of marital heroism are heard in the face of Thomas's interracial marriage he's so fond of defending...then what will he tell those gay couples?
Indeed, were it not for the marital heroism of the Lovings HE wouldn't have what he has.
Amazing that Mrs. Loving found it in HER heart to defend gay couples in ways that you know Thomas won't. This job was too big for a candy ass like him. And he only follows Scalia's opinions anyway. Thomas is too weak for that position, and now we know it better than ever.
Karmatic
October 8 2007, 4:24PM
***LOL@Derrick ***
As someone who has witnessed how destructive Liberal Policies have proven to be for Black people, I'm sadden to see the continued attacks against Justice Thomas simply for the views he holds...I cannot defend Justice Thomas as the "man" but I will defend his right to believe in conservative principles...
Those who wish to hold on to the old system of RACE will find themselves left behind and cast aside by a younger generation that recognizes the real fight that faces our people..It's no longer about about Race in America, it's about CLASS...
Alto
October 8 2007, 6:21PM
Karmatic as long as this place where we reside is named America then guess what..Racial bias will always be included in any paradigm of life. Americas built on the principles of classism, but classism is almost insperable from racism in MANY cases sometimes involving much xenophobia as well.
Alice
October 8 2007, 6:28PM
Liberal politics of race? The liberals are as bad as the so called conservatives, of whom, the average black fits into that silly little box. LMBAO, since when did race become irrelevant? Thomas with all his flaws, and these desperate appeals to peddle a mediocre book to his base of 10% blacks and whites who share a disdain for blacks, as is their God govern right, who care show it. I for one don't care if he hates being black, hates black people and wants to bring back the Dixecrats, what I would like is for him to at least show that he has listened to cases, and not have his mind made up when he sees who is on the docket.
I just don't see why he can't seek help, why can't he say that SOMETIMES a black plaintiff has been victimized based on skin color, or do all the "black conservatives" say that racism is dead? I don't want a handout from anyone, like most blacks, just to be treated the fairly under the law of the land, not from the virew point of activist GOP judges with issues based on race.
J
October 8 2007, 7:02PM
"The people of color will one day outnumber the whites and THEN...payback!"
I dunno, and can someone ban the phrase "people of color."
It makes my skin crawl. This oppressed alliance/catchall crap is a joke.
If people of color(those people that use us to get ahead and then step over us)are in power and we're still around(white folk are working haaard to get rid of us), they'll be just as loving as whites.
Luther
October 8 2007, 8:05PM
No longer about race, its all about "class" now, I guess to the millions of working poor who can't get a fair chance at a better life no matter how hard they work and follow the rules, and meet some bigot in an employment office, are just wrong, not race. And, as a black man with a partner who would be considered upper class, race is still a factor, even in my all white neighboorhood, Audi and pool, and, I for one am proud to be seen a black man, no shame in that at all and decry real racism.
Thomas is allowed to express his thoughts, as incoherent as they are, but, he does not have a right to say that race is no longer a factor and its as delusional as it comes.
But, like the poster above said, people of color will soon be the majority, and, it will be funny to se how whites and conservative blacks deal with Hispanics running the show! Just check out Miami and LA to see how its about class and not "race."
And, one thing about Clarence, he will be black for a minute to sell a lame book as a "victim.
cmoney
October 8 2007, 9:32PM
Well said, Keith. I am glad you are presenting an opposing view to Thomas--something the major news outlets have failed to do. The fawning coverage of him in the Washingtopn Post, ABC and CBS has been sickening and is out of touch with the negative opinion most Americans, Black and White, have of Thomas. Look at any message board of any newspaper covering this story. The response is 80 to 90 percent anti-Thomas. He craves approval from Whites, yet they are smart enough to know that he is just a handpicked, unqualified lackey. They have no respect for him either. No one respects a rat, even if he is supporting your causes. He's nothing more than a Republican Lawn Jockey and he makes me sick.
Karmatic
October 8 2007, 9:33PM
I just took a closer look at the Civil Rights Act of 1964(which was long before my time).I also peeked at Brown vs. the Board of Education in 1954..These remain some of the most powerful triumphs of our struggles in the 20th century...
So what's left for us? I know!
"We need to find a way to make white people think kindly of us...We need to find a way to make white people want to live next door to us" ..etc..etc..lol
Of course I'm being facetious, but I hope you see my point.Even if we were able to align the Supreme Court with a bunch of bleeding Liberals, it still would not remove the fact that some white people will still hate you ..I'm sure most of you live remarkable lives , filled with knowledge ,love, opportunities or the pursuit of them all.Now if none of you can tell me what's the next "great battle" looming on the Supreme Court or some Legislation that would adversely affect Black people, I'd say give the White man a rest..I'm sure his legs are plenty tired from running around in your minds
Raymonde Green
October 8 2007, 10:13PM
Karma is an evil bi-polar twin who will flip on you when you least expect it.
trent
October 8 2007, 10:54PM
cmoney, he is one unhappy man, i thought that he had what he wanted, life time job with no reviews or obvious talent for it, just mocked by real lawyers, and a white woman, isn't that what a poor, black man, sorry scratch that he isn't black needs to live in this color free society, where race is no longer a factor and we are all judged on our merits and not the color of our skin?
bless you clarence, you have seen it and can tell us that we is all free in the eyes of your laws.
if only he could be a fly on the wall of those he worships, but, then again, he still would not get it.
@ the guy who said give the white man a rest, let him give me one, and stop his feeling that his entitlements are his based for one reason, the color of his skin, and, yet he and the black neo-cons say its all kumbaya in 2007. i don't need nor want anything from him, or anyone else, i can make it own my own, just like all black people given the fair chance at the american dream after being denied it for 360 years.
cmoney
October 8 2007, 11:13PM
Karmatic: You are out of your mind if you think race doesn't matter in this country. Ask the Jena 6. You think the White trailer trash boys who attacked the Black kids and were not prosecuted had more class than the Black kids? Please! You can have all the money and eduation you want, but in some parts of America, you are just a rich, smart ass nigger. And being opposed to Clarence Thomas does not mean we are looking for a handout. You got a lot to learn, boy.
J
October 9 2007, 12:00AM
You know these people with mental disorders and an anything-to-get-ahead attitude that refer to themselves as black conservatives are actually not the disease they seem to be.
That's progress. When there are a bunch of us who've managed to acheive a lot in life through hard work and with little struggle who also can confidently sit back and say race is not an issue, that's something. It doesn't mean they're not effed in the head, but you have to compare us now to then.
Those wads are dead on with something else, and I'm not suggesting it's intentional.
We had generations of people who had nowhere near the resources we have now. They made sugar out of shit. I won't launch into the bootstraps garbage, but that spirit died. The mentality they claim to promote is something we should actually be behind. That's what got us AA.
robert
October 9 2007, 1:48AM
To believe that this man is on the verge of destroying Brown v. Board of Education and reinstate segregation in the public school system . I wonder what Thurgood Marshall who argued against segregation in the Brown decision would think of Clarence Thomas?
HD
October 9 2007, 12:26PM
Well Robert...I'll answer your question about the thoughts Justice Marshall had about Thomas. Once asked, If he thought another AA should be chosen to fill his position on the Court. Justice Marshall responded,"My father use to say, 'It does not matter if the snake is black or white, they will both bite you.'"
To Karmatic and AA likeminds, Dick Gregory quote, "blacks are going to wind up back on a cottonfield and this time, It will be their own fault."
Read, Judge A. Leon Higginbotham open letter to Clarence Thomas.
Darnell
October 9 2007, 4:44PM
The only thing I'll add to the black conservatives posting here, is just when did racism die, and since when does everyone get a fair shake? No one wants a handout, even the Africans in Africa now are saying, no more food, jobs and job skills.
And, the funny thing of all, is when some white guy still calls them the n-word as only some of them can spew it, they will be reminded, they are still black, conservative, liberal, or in my case neither. But, I'm sure, it does not bother them at all, they are real men who stand with the founding fathers in their being free men, LOL!
And, since Thomas is not a black man and has been given a get out of jail not black man card, why is he still harping about things that happened in his past? Its not as if he was ever the victim of racism in his perfect little white world. Oh that's right, to hawk that "book" about his grand pa's
advice about white women he didn't listen to.
That's the issue with these black Gop'ers, they don't know nor respect the past.
Juan G in DC
October 9 2007, 9:25PM
Keith, thanks for the post. I really had been "under a rock" with the release of the book ankd all but this op-ed piece puts it all in prospective.
kris in atlanta
October 10 2007, 1:18AM
Has anyone ever asked Thomas where he sees Black America 20 years from now? Oh that's right, he doesn't give a damn. Far from being fair and rational, Thomas is a baffoon who has done immeasurable harm to us a people. Further, thanks to his vote in 2001, we ended up with George Bush and that in itself is unforgivable. His decisions have assured that generations of Black Americans will in the future find themselves fighting the same civil rights battles we face today. Thomas doesn't care about that either. He has his white woman to bleach the blackness from his descendants. Newsflash UNCLE Thomas: No matter how many white women you screw, your kids are gonna be Black for many generations to come thanks to the 1/32 nonsensical Constitution rule still in place which your big block headed ugly self has helped to sustain.
james Tembetembe
October 19 2007, 3:07PM
It is mind-boggling why justice Thomas is more angry at Black victims of racism and at what amounts to a minimalist and rudimentary remedy for racial exclusion- affirmative action.
Why isn't Thomas railing against all that white privilege around him?: An unqualified president, courtesy of family legacy and Thomas' own indulgence; a virtually all-white national press corp (how many Black journalists of note do you know today, and how many of them host a national news program?); How many Black military "experts" have been retained by the news networks to comment on the wars?; How many Black CEO's run fortune 500 companies? How many Black run major foundations? And, most tellingly about conservatives, How many Black Republicans serve in the U.S. Congress or Senate ? NONE. Where is Thomas' outrage?
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