Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas: Crash Course Black American History #46

Today, Clint will teach you about the Supreme Court confirmation hearing of Clarence Thomas. During the screening process, Anita Hill came forward alleging that Thomas had sexually harassed her when the two of them worked together at the Department of Education. The public response to Hill’s allegations was tense and split the Black American community along gendered lines. Thomas’ nomination was ultimately confirmed by a margin of 52-48, and he became the second Black American appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Clint’s book, How the Word is Passed is available now! https://bookshop.org/books/how-the-word-is-passed-a-reckoning-with-the-history-of-slavery-across-america/9780316492935

Sources:
Harris, Duchess. Black Feminist Politics from Kennedy to Trump. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.
Harris-Perry, Melissa V. Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2011.
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/28/1040911313/anita-hill-belonging-sexual-harassment-conversation
https://www.history.com/news/anita-hill-confirmation-hearings-impact
https://www.npr.org/2018/09/23/650138049/a-timeline-of-clarence-thomas-anita-hill-controversy-as-kavanaugh-to-face-accuse