The Honorable J. Kenneth Blackwell,
February 12, 2024
Op-Ed
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Justice Clarence Thomas Deserves Recognition as an Icon of Black History
Originally Published in Newsweek.
It's a lingering stain on this country that one name is consistently absent from Black History Month celebrations each February: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Based solely on our skin color, many prefer African Americans adopt certain ideological positions. When we don't, the attacks can be relentless.
Because of his originalist jurisprudence, Justice Thomas has long been the target of unfair denigration by the political Left, dating back to his nomination as the second black Justice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court in 1991. Through it all, he has confronted these attacks with grace, dignity, and determination.
Amid the onslaught, his profound contributions have too often been overlooked or diminished.
Clarence Thomas has been breaking barriers from a young age—overcoming homelessness, racial bias, and financial hardship. Drawing inspiration from his grandfather, Thomas rose from humble beginnings to achieve remarkable success. From being the first black student at St. John Vianney boarding school to ascending from the Missouri Attorney General's office to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Thomas' resilience propelled him as a conservative force shaping American laws and liberties.