Justice Clarence Thomas, born on June 23, 1948, in Pin Point, Georgia, is one of the most conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court and has been since his appointment in 1991. His life story, judicial philosophy, and tenure on the Court have been both influential and controversial. Here is a detailed summary of his life and career:
Early Life and Education:
- Family Background: Thomas grew up in poverty. His father left the family when he was two, and his mother, Leola Anderson, struggled to support him and his siblings. At age seven, Thomas and his brother were sent to live with his grandfather, Myers Anderson, in Savannah, who instilled in him the value of education and hard work.
- Education: Thomas attended an all-Black Catholic school, St. Pius X High School for his secondary education. He initially went to Immaculate Conception Seminary but left after a year, disillusioned with the prospect of priesthood. He later earned a degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross in 1971 and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1974.
Legal and Government Career:
Early Career: After Yale, Thomas faced difficulties in securing employment, which he attributes to affirmative action stigma. He worked briefly as an assistant attorney general in Missouri, then at Monsanto Chemical Company.
Government Service:
- EEOC: Thomas’s career in public service began under President Ronald Reagan, first as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education (1981-1982), then as Chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from 1982 to 1990, where he took a conservative approach to civil rights enforcement.
- Judicial Appointments: Before his Supreme Court nomination, Thomas served briefly on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.
Supreme Court Tenure:
Appointment: Thomas was nominated by President Bush to replace Justice Thurgood Marshall in 1991. His confirmation was highly contentious due to allegations of sexual harassment by Anita Hill, a former EEOC colleague, leading to a dramatic and televised Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. He was confirmed with a narrow 52-48 vote, the closest in a century.
Judicial Philosophy:
- Originalism: Like Justice Scalia, Thomas advocates for an originalist interpretation of the Constitution, believing in interpreting it as it was understood at the time of its adoption.
- Textualism: He also employs a textualist approach to statutory interpretation, emphasizing the text over legislative history or intent.
- Limited Judicial Role: Thomas often argues for a restrained judicial role, where judges apply the law as written without making law themselves.
Notable Opinions and Positions:
- Concurrence in McDonald v. Chicago (2010) – He argued for the incorporation of the Second Amendment against the states under the Privileges or Immunities Clause rather than the Due Process Clause, showcasing his originalist approach.
- Dissent in Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) – Thomas wrote a dissent emphasizing that the right to marry historically did not extend to same-sex couples, reflecting his view on marriage and constitutional interpretation.
- Concurrence in Gratz v. Bollinger (2003) and Fisher v. University of Texas** (2016) – He has consistently criticized affirmative action policies, viewing them as unconstitutional and contrary to the principle of equal protection.
- Death Penalty: Thomas has been a staunch supporter of capital punishment, often siding with law enforcement on criminal procedure issues.
Cultural Impact and Later Years:
- Public Figure: Thomas’s life story from poverty to the Supreme Court has inspired some, while his judicial philosophy and decisions have made him a controversial figure, particularly among civil rights advocates.
- Public Perception: He has often been viewed as silent during oral arguments, leading to speculation about his influence. However, his written opinions and concurrences reveal his active engagement with legal issues.
- Health and Personal Life: Thomas has faced health challenges but has remained on the bench. His personal life, including his marriage to Ginni Thomas, who is known for her conservative activism, has occasionally brought him into the political spotlight.
Legacy:
- Influence on Jurisprudence: Thomas’s adherence to originalism has influenced younger conservative judges and legal scholars, potentially shaping the future direction of constitutional interpretation.
- Diversity on the Court: As the second African American to serve on the Supreme Court, Thomas’s presence highlights the diversity of thought rather than just racial diversity.
- Controversies: His confirmation hearings set a precedent for how sexual harassment allegations are handled in public and political discourse, and his judicial stances continue to provoke debate.
- Personal Journey: His life from humble beginnings to one of the highest judicial offices in the land is a narrative often cited in discussions of the American Dream, self-reliance, and the impact of mentorship.
Justice Clarence Thomas’s tenure on the Supreme Court represents a significant conservative voice, often advocating for strict constitutional interpretation, limited government, and a return to what he perceives as the original intent of the Founding Fathers. His judicial philosophy and decisions will likely have a lasting impact on American law, making him a pivotal figure in the evolution of legal thought in the U.S.
This man is a criminal. He assaults women and takes bribes. Every decision he makes in self serving.