Not satisfied with going after Peter Jennings on his deathbed, the Media Research Center now decides to use the death of publishing pioneer John H. Johnson to propagandize for the right
In a piece on the passing of Ebony publisher John H. Johnson, syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts writes that Mr. Johnson, “codified African-American dreams between glossy four-color covers. And because he showed us ourselves as doers, achievers and people of worth.”
Well, not always. For years, Ebony published a list of the 100 most influential black Americans. For years, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas didn’t make that list. Certainly one of the nine highest judicial officers in the Nation should have qualified. Justice Thurgood Marshall did.
Here’s a clue, hotshots, a lapdog supreme court justice who forgets that he’s black unless it suits him politically is not remotely as influential as someone like Thurgood Marshall was. Black America is ashamed that we’ve produced someone like Clarence Thomas. But he’s the sort of convenient figurehead the right likes to trot out as cover for their agenda.
The right-wing critics are correct in there assessment of Thomas omission by Ebony.
Indeed, black conservatives need not apply for accolades from the mainstream black community. I completely agree with your and Mr. Johnson’s assessment that Thomas didn’t belong on the list. He has done absolutely nothing to be recognized as an influential African American the community can be proud of. Clarence Thomas, Walter Williams, Janice Rogers Brown, Ward Connerly, Armstrong Williams, Larry Elder, Ken Hamblin, Starr Parker, Jesse Lee Peterson and Thomas Sowell belong on a separate list of self loathing race traitors and apologists for white supremacy
… self loathing race traitors and apologists for white supremacy
And yet it’s the Republicans who are race baiting?!?
The concept of a “race traitor” requires that you believe that a certain race is only allowed to have a certain range of opinions. That, in itself, is racist.
The concept of a race traitor requires that you believe that a certain race is only allowed to have a certain range of opinions.
That is an interesting definition. Did you come up with it yourself, or did you get it from Webster’s Racial Dictionary?
There is no scientific basis for the idea of ‘race’ among humans; ‘race’ is nothing more than a social construct. Thus the term “race traitor” has little meaning for me. However, the struggle for civil rights was a war against racism (which I personally define as the belief in ‘race’, and the use of that social construct as a tool of social and class oppression). One of the most important elements of that struggle was getting African-Americans to see themselves in a more positive light, and not in the hateful and condescending images cast for them by the media of the larger culture. This is where John Johnson played a crucial role.
People like Clarence Thomas were likely left off the Ebony list because they served the interests of those who fought against civil rights. Thomas himself was a cynical tool of the right wing. If you want to talk about race-baiting, consider that Thomas was chosen by the Reaganites precisely because his arch-conservatism and his shaky personal history could be shielded from direct criticism by the color of his skin (”High-tech lynching,” anyone?). Thomas was a piss-poor replacement for Thurgood Marshall, who spent his entire legal career fighting for civil rights.
“…consider that Thomas was chosen by the Reaganites…”
Actually, he was chosen by the Bushies, not the Reaganites. If you’re gonna be a race-hustler, at least try to be one that gets his facts straight. Idiot.
I guess Ruth Bader Ginsberg shouldn’t be considered an influential woman. All she does is vote whatever John Paul Stevens does. If she had views of her own and wasn’t just a rubber stamp for the ACLU and PFAW policy, she would gain some respect.
He shouldn’t be on the list because though he is a SCOTUS justice, he really isn’t influential. All he does is vote however Scalia does. If he had views of his own and wasn’t just a rubber stamp for Federalist Society policy, he would gain some respect.
Neither is the right of private business to take your house, but the USSC “found” it nonetheless…
SaveFarris, when was the last time Ginsburg was on such a list? Probably in the mid-90s shortly after her appointment.
Clarence Thomas should not be on any list of influential people, because he’s not.
And, PSU94, let us not forget that many Bushies were Reaganites, so the statement AlexCorrigan made is still valid.
Exactly. They all know what’s in the Constitution, and that isn’t. However, it’s their interpretation that it is allowed.
And a stupid one at that.
also from the MRC article:
I need to take a minute to catch my breath. I laughed for five minutes straight after reading that.
his superior understanding of the Constitution? According to whom? I’m sure every judge on SCOTUS has an excellent understanding of the Constitution. I’m sure they’re the best constitutional scholars in the country, and most of them can probably recite a great deal of it from heart.
Interpreting and understanding are two different things. Ultra-conservatism is nowhere in the Constitution, yet Thomas and Scalia seem to think it is.
Or perhaps what’s influential to the MRC isn’t influential to the black community. I’d like to know how many blacks are part of the MRC. My guess, if it’s like most other conservative groups, is none.
Excellent call by MRC. Clarence Thomas is probably the most powerful black person in this country – last quarter century. But its OK if Ebony wants to have a list of the most influential black liberals. Nothing wrong with that. Just say that is what it is. I mean more Americans voted for Bush (sort of Clarence Thomas’ way) than for any liberal President and I suspect those people would be influenced more by a Justice Thomas. Or does Ebony mean influential only among black liberals?
Dugger
“SCOTUS”
Thats the first time I have heard someone refer the Supreme Court of the United States as some military-like acronym. Its called the Supreme Court people!
Dugger:
What has Thomas done to influence the country? What has he done that was influential to blacks? So he’s on the Supreme Court. Has he used that to do anything positive for the black community? Not that I know of. If you know of something, let me know.
It’s also interesting to paint Ebony with such a broad stroke over leaving someone off its list for 15 years when the magazine itself has been published since 1947. So, you’re saying that the magazine that has been in business almost 60 years doesn’t accurately represent the values of its readers? Bull.
About more people voting for Bush than any liberal president, you’ve got your logic screwed up there. More people also voted for Kerry than any liberal president. In fact, more people voted for Kerry than voted for every president but one. So that argument is stupid. Second, we’re not talking about everyone, we’re talking about the black community. There’s no way Bush even came close to Kerry among blacks. Therefore, it can be surmised that the vast majority of blacks (around 90%) don’t agree with Clarence Thomas, according to your logic.
Think a little, dugger. You have an inconsistency that makes it hard to know when you’re serious and when you’re just blowing shit.
Oprah is arguably the most influential black person in America, dugger–way ahead of Condoleeza Rice and Justice Thomas. Rice and Thomas make decisions that carry weight, sure, but for sheer influence…let’s just say nobody cares what books Rice and Thomas are recommending this month.
I’m reluctant to weigh in on what the magazine’s editorial decisions might have been.
However, I feel safe in asking this question of those who think Thomas belongs on this list: What evidence do you see of his influence?
Simply holding the title of Supreme Court justice does not ensure that one’s actions have weight. To wield influence, one must act in ways that alter the lives of others. How has Thomas done this?
BD,
Fine we can argue a major entertainment celebrity versus a supreme court justice, but the justice didn’t even make the top 100. Thats ideological vindictiveness and you guys know it.
Pionar,
“What has he done that was influential to blacks?”
Fine also then if Ebony limited their criteria to only influence among blacks. But even then, considering that roughly 10% (not sure actual) voted for Bush, he shouldn’t be in the top 100?
As to this:
“You have an inconsistency that makes it hard to know when you re serious and when you re just blowing shit.’
An open mind helps
Dugger
Clarence Thomas hasn’t done anything of substance on the Court. He rarely speaks up and he rarely writes an opinion on any large issues. That’s why I’d say he’s not influential.
Now Thurgood Marshall was a true hero. I think it’s rather sad that MLK Jr. gets as much attention as he does and Marshall gets pushed into the background. Marshall did more for civil rights in arguing Brown v Board and Sweatt v Painter than MLK ever did. Not that MLK isn’t worthy of accolades, I just feel that MLK cleaned up the few skirmishes that were left after Marshall had won the war.
Actually, he was chosen by the Bushies, not the Reaganites.
Bush the First was a Reaganite (remember those eight years as VP?). If you’re going to be an ignorant, issue-avoiding troll– oh, never mind. You’ve got that covered; excellent work.
I never understood why the left derides Clarence Thomas with such vitriol. Blacks lash out at any suggestion that they have homoginized views or that they think alike, and yet when a black man or woman is outside the perceived group-think, they are declared to be self-hating, or a race traitor, etc.
Politics aside, Clarence Thomas is at the very pinnacle of his chosen profession — only the second black man or woman to hold such a position (and is apparently on the short list to be Chief Justice when Rehnquist leaves). Any black child who thinks of becoming a lawyer should be looking to Clarence Thomas as a role model, not a traitor. You don’t have to agree with the man (at least he didn’t vote to allow private businesses to take your house) but give him his due.
Clarence Thomas is better known for “Who put pubic hair on my Coke” than any of his opinions. Not too influential.
Seriously, though.
I still haven’t seen the list. Was Condoleeza Rice on it? If she was, that would tell us that conservatives are eligible and Thomas was left off for a different reason.
On the other hand, if Rice doesn’t make the list, then the magazine’s critics are apparently right. One may debate Ms. Rice’s positions or even her competence, but not her influence.
Hm. Interesting.
Here’s the list from May, 2004.
It includes Rice, Colin Powell, Michael Powell, and Rod Paige. But not Thomas. It wouldn’t appear that conservatism alone is a disqualifying trait. However, it does seem to be a rather purposeful slight, doesn’t it?
Who else has done more to make the public aware of the artistic talents of Long Dong Silver?
Now that’s influence.