September 21, 2007 / by emptywheel

 

Clarence Thomas’ Most Important Contribution To Date

Every time I see mention of the Jena 6, I can’t help but think of Clarence Thomas’ single most positive contribution of his tenure on SCOTUS, as brought to you by Dahlia Lithwick.

Out of nowhere booms the great, surprising "Luke-I-am-your-father"voice of He Who Never Speaks. Justice Clarence Thomas suddenly asks aquestion and everyone’s head pops up and starts looking madly around,like the Muppets on Veterinarian Hospital. "Aren’tyou understating the effects … of 100 years of lynching?" he booms."This was a reign of terror, and the cross was a sign of that. … Itis unlike any symbol in our society. It was intended to cause fear,terrorize." [my emphasis]

I presume Justice Thomas might say the same thing about three nooses.

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Originally Posted @ https://www.emptywheel.net/2007/09/21/clarence-thomas-most-important-contribution-to-date/