The Call For Clarence Thomas’ Resignation Is Only Getting Stronger

In 1991, law professor Anita Hill came forward with allegations that she had been sexually harassed by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas while they worked together at the Department of Education and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Although several of his colleagues testified that her statements were true,

Thomas was still confirmed as a Supreme Court justice; however, this confirmation process left Hill with permanent damage to her reputation as well as left-over hostility from the White House that caused her to lose her job as a college professor at Oral Roberts University.

Why Do I Think Clarence Thomas Should Resign

Since 1991, Justice Clarence Thomas has been nominated to the Supreme Court by President George H.W. Bush. After 27 years, people are starting to speak up and call for his resignation as Supreme Court Justice.

This summer a woman named Anita Hill came forward with accusations of sexual harassment during her time working with Clarence in 1991 when he was her boss at the Department of Education and she was his subordinate in a position similar to what one might assume is an internship.

Anita recently wrote about how uncomfortable she felt around Clarence and even how he pressured her for dates because of his position as her boss–so that’s one reason why Justice Clarence Thomas should resign from the Supreme Court.

What Happens If Clarence Thomas Doesn’t Resign

He has been accused of sexual harassment by Anita Hill, who testified against him in 1991. She claimed that he had made comments about her appearance and touched her inappropriately.

He was later confirmed as a justice on the Supreme Court. But now, 27 years later, he is being asked to resign from the bench. If he refuses to do so and nothing changes before 2020, then President Trump will be able to nominate his replacement when his time as Chief Justice expires.

Who Are We Fighting

Clarence Thomas, the second African American to be appointed to the Supreme Court, is a man who has committed both perjury and obstruction of justice in his lifetime. Both are impeachable offenses. In 1991, Anita Hill accused Clarence of sexually harassing her on multiple occasions during her time as a subordinate at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

He failed to provide any evidence or witnesses to refute these claims and was later called back for testimony before Congress when these allegations were brought up again by women who had worked with him. The responses he provided under oath contradicted his previous statements on several occasions and resulted in him committing perjury. Anita’s allegations have been corroborated by many of his other accusers, such as Angela Wright who also accused him of sexual harassment at the EEOC offices.

Why Have So Many Women Come Forward Now

Many factors have led to the present moment. The beginning of the #MeToo movement has been a catalyst in increasing the likelihood of women coming forward with their stories. The new wave of feminism is also influencing people to speak out against people who have been accused of sexual harassment or assault. However, another factor that has resulted in people speaking up is President Trump’s election and his subsequent rise to power.

How Could This Happen In 2018

It’s been over 25 years since Anita Hill accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, and now we’re in 2018 when the #MeToo movement is at its peak. And yet, the Supreme Court justice has to recuse himself from cases involving accusations of sexual misconduct. His refusal to do so is akin to a slap in the face for all women who are demanding their voices be heard.

It’s not just that he didn’t show up for a hearing about allegations against Trump’s nominee Brett Kavanaugh. It’s that he doesn’t seem to understand that his behavior needs to change as society moves forward and casts off outdated notions of gender roles and power dynamics.

Time’s Up for Misogynists

For years, the most powerful man in America has been preying on women who work for him. He has singled them out, objectified them, and made their lives miserable. His male subordinates stand by and watch as he takes advantage of his position of power to make unwanted sexual advances on female colleagues. As long as they’re not successful in their bids to sexually harass or assault these women,

they’re rewarded with promotions that are denied to those who dare speak up. It’s a sickening story and one that we’ve seen again and again across industries and at different companies. But this time there’s something different about it: it was published by the Washington Post over three decades after the fact because victims were too afraid to come forward before now.

#MeToo, #WhyIDidntReport, and Beyond

In 1991, Anita Hill accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment. When her accusations were ignored, she was silenced. Now, with the MeToo movement and the 2018 nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, survivors are speaking out again with more fervor than ever.

With allegations that are strikingly similar to those made by Anita Hill so many years ago, it’s time for Congress to launch an investigation into what happened between Justice Thomas and Professor Hill all those years ago. If a hearing is not held before confirmation, we will never know if Anita Hill’s accusations are true–and justice will not have been served for either her or for Dr. Christine Blasey Ford who has come forward about Judge Kavanaugh.

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