U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

An image is a picture of what we see in art, words or in this case, people. If I had to choose what image I would like to have, it would have to be expressing principle and deriving success from that image. Displaying a positive image demands that anything is possible. In order to reach the goal of success; the image of standing by your principles; displaying those traits and the actions that go along with that, despite immeasurable odds, will ultimately lead to success.

We stand by our own principles on a daily basis and those that are around us; a small crowd can gather where you come from in terms of values. However, the test of one's principles is never more important, so visible, than that of serving in public office.

Those who enter politics follow what they believe in and what politics dictate which sometimes skews their own personal beliefs. That is the playing field of holding a public office in the United States. There is one political office that demands the opposite of what they personally believe in, and must follow the U.S. Constitution to the last period; that office is the U.S. Supreme Court. However, it is not that easy to separate the two entities of beliefs, the political belief and the personal belief but one man has done that and continues to do so. That Supreme Court Justice is Clarence Thomas. President George H. Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to the bench in 1991. This was the pinnacle of Clarence Thomas' life and he never knew how hard it would be to be the only African-American Supreme Court Justice ever confirmed.

He never knew he would be sitting in the chair with the highest court of the land-The United States Supreme Court (USSC).

Clarence Thomas was born in Pinpoint, (Savannah) Georgia and raised in a poor family. He graduated in 1974 from the prestigious Yale Law School and became a prominent black conservative active in Republican causes (Infoplease.com).

The word "conservative" stings the ears of the left of the political spectrum, namely the Democratic Party. The reason is simple. Clarence Thomas is African-American and there is a perception that all African-Americans need to be democrats. In political terms, being a black republican is considered a traitor in the sense of turning their backs on the Democratic Party. Many of them, including Clarence Thomas, have been called "Uncle Tom's", degrading racial terms, and modern day slaves of the white establishment. The need to stand by ones principles is what really matters and not what other people think you should be.

Civil Rights leaders such as Reverend Jesse Jackson and Reverend Al Sharpton; by the actions they display are examples of the continued racial tensions that plague society. These two civil-rights leaders have expressed displeasure with Clarence Thomas because of Thomas' views on affirmative action's, abortion, prison inmates, labor, and equality. Their views are twisted and they can't accept that a man of the same color as they are can actually think for himself. Clarence Thomas stated when asked about the comments and disagreements by civil rights leaders, Clarence had replied, "I think they're struggling with me. I'm not struggling with anybody. I have my own opinions and my ideas. They're mine,'' he said. ''I won't tell you, you must believe certain things because of your skin color or because you're bad for not agreeing with me. That's all I can see, is that people are upset because I disagree with them".

Clarence is a smart man and stands by what he believes in; his principles have guided him all his life. His decisions have made him successful and he doesn't regret one aspect of how he feels, the decisions he has made and most importantly, where he came from.

He stated that with the encouragement of his grandparents; he worked hard and after college moved away from Georgia when he couldn't get a job there. The justice said he still rises each morning about 4 a.m. because he can feel his grandfather's spirit hovering over him, saying, ''Get up! Think you're rich?'' This is an example of good parents raising a good child and set forth the values he lives by today. He doesn't need someone to tell him when he should state something, when he should agree or disagree with an argument. Clarence Thomas recognizes that racial problems are still an issue. However, I respect that he doesn't just scream about it when something goes wrong. He doesn't use the race card when things need to go his way. He thinks for himself, makes his own decisions and if people don't like it, then too bad. Just because he is black doesn't mean he had to push aside his principles.

After all, he is successful and is quite noticeable of his persistence in being himself and does not engage in pandering to others.

As Thomas's nomination waded through the Senate for confirmation, a Law Professor Anita Hill, who previously worked for Clarence Thomas threatened his advancement and confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. The charge was sexual harassment. This was a complete joke on this man's dignity, respect and the fact that a black man can become successful especially when he sticks to his values and principles.

At one point in the hearing, Thomas stated, "A national disgrace...a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves (MuseumTV)."

He was attacked from the far-left liberals including the NAACP, N.O.W., and other civil rights groups. Not one single thread of evidence was ever presented to support Anita Hill's accusation. From my point of view, they did not like that a man of principles who would dare be elected to an honorable office such as the U.S. Supreme Court. This was an attempt to deny a man, an Africa-American the right to be successful. And since he didn't play by the rules and adopting the Democrat Party's motto that no black man should ever support conservative republican ideas; they decided to verbally hang him and in front of millions of people. These types of tactics continue today and through other aspects of society. Through all of this, he stood his ground; his principles and became a US Supreme Court Justice. There are those that would break from such pressures. Ultimately, his guidance of what he believes in withstood this test and success was the end result.

Clarence Thomas made a statement to a diverse crowd of University students concerning affirmative action. He stated, ''So often you go to universities and its all white or predominantly black. I look out there and it was a mix of everybody--and it's wonderful. But are you telling me you all can't learn in this group?'' he asked the students. ''Now you know you can." Clarence Thomas was referring to the on-going issue of affirmative action. His point of the matter was simply stated that we are all on the same ground and have the same chances to succeed in anything regardless of race or ethnic origins. With Clarence Thomas starring at this crowd, he can speak from experience and proved his point because of his own actions to succeed and be elected to the highest court of the land. He is a shining example.

It's an image that speaks of strength, dignity and using your own principles and judgments. You don't allow others to dictate what you should be and how you should act based on the color of your skin or the background you were brought up in. You may lose friends and associates because of this but there are other friends out there to take their place. This is really the only negative aspect of not being politically correct and not standing by your principles.

I believe that the public can accept someone who stands on their morals and principles. Many in government are not trusted. It gives a breath of fresh air that someone can become successful and not lie and cheat to get there. I also believe this gives the person who has this type of personality and stands to give more credibility and self-confidence that values do matter regardless of the impending negative retaliations that may result.

Clarence Thomas has suffered much of that since he became an U.S. Supreme Court Justice. No one should have to suffer such consequences because ones principles and success stand in the way. Those two attributes have made people successful. Why would anyone knock down its effectiveness? The simple answer is politics and how politics are played. It's who can make the other lose because of it and not caring if the public understands it or not. If the public does not understand it, then, the opposing party wins. In Clarence Thomas's case, the public understood and the opposing party lost. They lost because the principles of how one's life is made won over the dishonesty on the opposing forces. In return, the public knew what success means.

Clarence Thomas gave it to them.

Sources:

Clarence Thomas

http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0848509.html

MuseumTV Archives

http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/H/htmlH/hill-thomash/hill-thomas.htm