KSVA

Justice Clarence Thomas, born in Pin Point, Georgia, hails from a predominantly black community. Initially aspiring to become a Catholic priest, he expressed his belief that the church could have done more to combat racism. His own family undoubtedly endured hardships during the era of Jim Crow laws. Interestingly, Thomas openly acknowledged that he gained admission to Yale Law School through affirmative action. Nominated by President George H. W. Bush, he assumed the role of Supreme Court Justice in 1991, succeeding Thurgood Marshall.

During his time at Yale, Justice Clarence was influenced by conservative authors, particularly the great Thomas Sowell. Sowell has argued for over three decades that race-based social policies, including affirmative action, impede opportunities for African Americans. According to Sowell, cultural disparities rather than racial discrimination primarily account for socioeconomic differences among racial groups, making them the primary cause of inequality.

It is important to note; After completing his studies, he assumed the role of assistant attorney general in Missouri and subsequently transitioned to private practice within the same state. In 1979, he embarked on a new path as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator John Danforth, and in 1981, he was appointed Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education. The following year, President Ronald Reagan designated Justice Clarence as the Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC.

Justice Thomas’s upbringing was characterized by the absence of a father figure, financial challenges, and a keen sense of embarrassment regarding his admission to Yale through affirmative action. Some critics argue that he has adopted a perspective aligned with white supremacy, perpetuating its ideals. They contend that upon joining the courts, his primary objective was dismantling the program that provided him with opportunities. Becoming a Supreme Court Justice, he seemed to dismiss the significance of such initiatives, focusing solely on personal benefit. Scholars argue that Justice Clarence exhibits a lack of concern for the marginalized position of black individuals under white supremacy, citing his statements in voting rights cases. Consequently, it is no surprise that with a shift toward conservatism on the Supreme Court, certain protections for black individuals have been overturned.