Hypocrite. Grifter. Opportunist.
These are just some of the recent labels people have used to describe everyone's favorite Black conservative Supreme Court justice, Clarence Thomas. Given the shocking reports, as well as his own admissions, I can't say I disagree. And Thomas was certainly at the forefront of my mind while reading my colleague Ali Breland's piece this week on people of color who become pawns for white supremacy.
But the question grates at me: How does Thomas, a man who once identified as a Black nationalist, accept countless gifts from a billionaire GOP megadonor with a collection of Nazi memorabilia? How does that same man spend his career on the high court seemingly dedicated to eradicating opportunities for marginalized people he once claimed to identify with? He hasn't said much in response to recent revelations. But according to Mother Jones’ Garrison Hayes, the answer could be hiding in plain sight. For his latest video, Garrison uncovered many instances in which the justice denounced programs designed to aid the Black community, despite benefitting from similar programs himself:
Garrison has spent the last few weeks diving deeply into Thomas’ on-the-record speeches, biographies, interviews, and judicial opinions. Thomas attended Yale Law School in 1971 through an affirmative action program but later opposed a similar program in a judicial opinion. When he couldn’t find a legal job after graduation, he saw affirmative action as the reason for his difficulties, writing in his 2007 memoir, “Now I knew what a law degree from Yale was worth when it bore the taint of racial preference. I was humiliated—and desperate.”
Despite receiving extraordinary opportunities and assistance throughout his life, Justice Thomas, Garrison concludes, seems committed to subjecting other groups—particularly Black people—to a rigid “bootstrap” individualism. In other words: opportunity for me, but not for thee.
Let me hit you with my favorite quote from Garrison's video:
If these things are true, your favorite Black conservative appears to be the most exaggerated version of a welfare queen, feeding off the generosity of a wealthy white benefactor who showers him and his family with unlimited trips.
You can check out the full video here.
—Arianna Coghill