It's funny, the things people say about someone they don't know.
An image is created, the press piles on, an before you know it, a public figure is reduced to a caricature.
Then you meet that person, maybe get to know them, even just a little. Your perception starts to change.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas said that disconnect — the disparity between his public image and what he sees as the grounded realities of his life — is one of the reasons he wrote his own story.
That story is about a young Geechee boy, dark-skinned and proud, who grew up in Savannah, Ga., the heart of Jim Crow South.
"I've been on the court 16 years, and with all the press coverage, people ... did not know where I was from," Mr. Thomas said.
We caught up with him at a soiree in honor of his new book, "My Grandfather's Son."
Mr. Thomas was raised by his grandfather, Myers Anderson, a man the justice calls "righteous hard."
"He was not a harsh man as so many people have said. But he was a hard man, righteous hard," Mr. Thomas said.
He told a story of how his he and his brother were told, "Do as I do," by the man who raised them -- and that meant developing a strong work ethic, thinking positive thoughts and doing what you know is right.
"Can you imagine putting that burden on yourself that you have to every day with those little eyes peering at you, that you have to give an example for them to follow?" he said.
"I called my brother about 10 years ago before he passed away, and I asked him, 'Myers, do you ever remember when he didn't live up to that?', and he said 'no.' He never ever broke his word."
Mr. Thomas' inspirational story belies the portrait, created by the justice's critics, of a conniving poser who brown-nosed his way to the top and then forgot about his people when he got there.
And you can forget the idea that this man has no personality.
We found him to be quite funny and jovial, with a big hearty laugh that could be heard in a noisy 20' by 16' room filled with about 40 people. Most were the justice's friends, but he was open with everyone.
"I do this all the time," Mr. Thomas said. "All over the country, just not in a setting where I am promoting a book ... I just don't go around promoting myself."
The book is as honest an American Dream story as there is. It doesn't shy away from the realities of racism, segregation, the terrorism of the Ku Klux Klan, and it doesn't ignore the self-inflicted demons of alcoholism and defeat that many blacks fell into as a result.
Asked who he was trying to reach by telling his story, Mr. Thomas said: "If you have to pay a mortgage, worry about your bills, have children and have hope for the future, that's the audience: regular, everyday people."
"And you are going to have struggles," he promised.
How do you stay positive?, he asked. How do you put one foot in front of the other?
"See the people who are the critics? They have all the answers. But you don't and that's my point. And the reason you want to talk about these things is you want other people to see that it's hard, you struggle and people have real lives. Some days you're down, but you got to get up and go to work. The book is for those people, it's for you man. Stay strong, be positive and keep at it," Mr. Thomas said.
Those were his final words to me and his message he wants people to walk away with after reading his book.
— Brian DeBose, national political reporter, The Washington Times
Comments (20)
Clarence Thomas is a man of the highest integrity.
Posted by henry scherer | October 5, 2007 3:18 PM
This brother is a tremendous role model. Thank you for writing this piece for the people.
Posted by DrePowell | October 5, 2007 10:44 PM
Eugene Robison in the Washington Post wrote just about the most hateful column I've ever read about this man earlier in the week, accusing Justice Thomas of being an Uncle Tom, a charlaton, and a disgrace to black people.
I believe I can translate that from Left to Right: He's a conservative, and we don't like that.
What a sad state of affairs when a man like Thomas is disparaged in such a malicious way, and none of the race-baiters, skin color-hucksters, or even moderates come to his defense.
Affirmative Action must only work when you vote Democratic.
Posted by RJ | October 6, 2007 1:20 AM
Thank you for this piece on Justice Thomas. One reads little positive about political figures in the national press. Your pulpit is smaller than those of the Post or the Times, but I searched you out because I thought I might be more likely to read some truth here. One knows the truth by its lack of shrillness and the absence of a snide tone.
I have often wondered how black Americans manage to survive with their humanity intact, able to raise their children without hate or fear. Not all succeed, of course, but from the Justice's book one can learn what it takes to succeed. My children will benefit from it. Thank you again.
Posted by Don Carlson | October 6, 2007 5:23 AM
I will buy the book as a Christmas gift for my children
Posted by Terry | October 6, 2007 6:21 AM
It goes to show once again, everyone has a story to tell. It is unfortunate that some people, were blinded by a political fog when this man first became a national figure and misrepresented him. Hopefully, his book will set the record straight, which is why he wrote it. Hope he is successful in doing that, it does seem to be working, and he deserves it. A truely American story. And it happened not in history but today, right in front of us.
Posted by Dennis | October 6, 2007 9:20 AM
Clarence Thomas IS America.
Posted by Patrick Malloy | October 7, 2007 2:49 AM
I just wanted to add that I understand what the good Justice Thomas had to say about his grandfather...that there were no shades of gray, only right and wrong...and right meant keeping your word, among other things...its sad that Americans in general have lost sight of that...now, with all the moral relativism, no one is even "allowed" by the liberal arbiters to take a stand...thank The Lord for a man like Justice Thomas. God Bless you sir.
Posted by Kirk Mooneyham | October 9, 2007 11:18 PM
Did Mr. Carlson really mean to imply that Justic Thomas is a "political" figure,?, if so, he hit the nail squarely upon the head
Posted by steve snow, suwanee,ga. | October 10, 2007 8:54 PM
Thank God for Clarence Thomas. More importantly, thank God for Clarence Thomas' grandfather, whose virtuous "Do as I do" should be a sacred motto for us all, instead of worshiping at the perverted, politically correct shrine of "Do as I say" that far too many habitually bow down to. Think where Clarence Thomas would be today if his grandfather had filled him--not with bright and shining hope for tomorrow--but with dark and bitter hate of yesterday, and how "Whitey" had held him down. Sadly, we should not be surprised at the demonic fury rabidly hurled at Clarence Thomas. There was another man, 2,000 years ago, who reverently preached what He practiced. And like Clarence Thomas, He was also crucified by those unworthy to walk in his noble steps, or to wipe the innocent blood they had savagely slashed from his dignified brow.
Posted by Jesse H. Merrell | October 11, 2007 6:03 AM
Although Justice Thomas seems to be a pleasant man who has come from a challenging background, his rulings reflect someone who is unable to use this unique insight to empathize with or help others similarly challenged. He rulings reflect a gross insensitivity to the current generation of Little Clarences growing up in the Pinpoints of this country. While I can understand the controversies attached to Affirmative Action, there is no reason that six and seven year old black children should not be helped to overcome the structural limitations of school systems that make them as reliant on Affirmative Action for college and law school as Justice Thomas was.
Posted by Ann Newton | October 11, 2007 6:57 AM
Justice Thomas is often criticized for forgetting where he came from. During a recent tour of the Supreme Court I had the opportunity to observe Justice Thomas, he quietly made his way into the court room with a small contingent of young black American students. During his time with them he was thoughtful, attentive, informative and engaging. His attempt was not only to inform his young charges but inspire. It was obivious to me he had "forgotten" nothing. He certainly inspired me.
Posted by Joel Simmons | October 11, 2007 3:05 PM
I have to agree that normal people DO live up to the worries in life. And I'm sure that writing this book from Clarence thomas has changed the views that people do see of him and not making him caricature. Making a cartoon of exaggeration in order to make fun of people for their actions? based on this article, that would not be deserved for Clarence Thomas.
Posted by Laura | October 12, 2007 12:46 AM
Despite what a good guy justice Thomas may be you cant overlook his votes on the court. His lack of independent thought has hurt him in my opinion. I am a liberal in some areas and conservative on others and I respect his right to have a different opinion from mine, but it would be refreshing to hear him have a different opinon from Scalea. Also, for someone to have benefitted so much from affirmative action to close the door to others is reprehensible. He may be a good guy at the club but his votes on the court are not so nice.
Posted by porter robinson | October 12, 2007 8:31 AM
American children, but mostly American children of African ancestry will benefit mightily from reading and knowing such a man and role model of Clarnce Thomas's statue. Political correctness and the Race-baiters and Poverty Pimps who worship almost destroyed America and her youths' futures. They need to know that character and integrity are essential to a good, worthwhile life.
Posted by Helen Jenkins | October 15, 2007 4:59 PM
What impressed me most about "My Grandfather's Son" was the grandfather himself, Daddy. As a conservative myself, I respect and admire Justice Thomas in adherring to the Constitution. I wish all parents, black and white, would teach their kids the values that Daddy instilled in Clarence.
Posted by Bob Green | October 16, 2007 10:13 AM
No wonder Mr. Thomas has been demonized all these years. He comes from a heritage of integrity.
Today they'd probably take kids away from someone like Clarence Thomas's Granddaddy for being too "Tough".
Can't you see it? Our good foundations are being assaulted.
Posted by Becktemba | October 19, 2007 1:00 PM
I am a conscientious Canadian who has grown weary of American arrogance. I recently read the book American Bravado and think it should get widespread coverage. Finally, someone has the courage to tell the naked truth about the Ugly American. The author is African American.
http://www.inkwaterpress.com/authors/rreese/cover_lgst.jpg
C.L.R. Williams
Posted by CLR WILLIAMS | October 21, 2007 8:56 PM
I have not read mr. Thomas's book no will I. I know a thing or two about growing up in the south. Integrity once ment something to me before I had to take a real look at mankind first hand. The naked truth. Like Mr. Thomas I to am a black man married to a white person, whom I love very much. It has nothing to do with my going to work in an enviorment that can't accept me for who I am. In every turn I find that I am treated differently because I am not like the others. That differnce is reflected in the difference in pay when we do the same job. I remember when Affirmative Action came on the sence and EO classes too. I was in the military then and it wasn't much help to me, but I became a supervisor and civilians working for me. I was told I had to accept some folks that were not qualified to do the job but hire them because of skin tone. I didn't accept that then or now. However some were more that qualified and would have not gotten the chance at Ft Rucker Al. With out affirmative action Jim Crow is live and well and sitting next to many that will never know what see plessy means. I don't want anybody to give nothing, but have access to the door.
Posted by E Moore Steward Il | October 26, 2007 11:26 PM
National Transportation Safety Board recently divulged they had funded a project with the US auto makers for the past five years.
Posted by John | February 26, 2008 6:53 AM