FRONTLINE traces the 'ambition and revenge' driving SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas

No video

FRONTLINE traces the 'ambition and revenge' driving SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas | Fresh Air

Рет қаралды 17,824

Жыл бұрын

As controversy swirls around Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife Ginni over financial benefits they received for years from a Texas billionaire, we look at the formative influences on the Washington power couple. Filmmaker Michael Kirk's FRONTLINE PBS documentary examines Clarence Thomas's early years, where he endured poverty, hardship and discrimination in the Jim Crow South. After a period as a Black Power activist in college, he began to criticize affirmative action and build ties with conservative Republicans, leading eventually to his seat on the Supreme Court. He teamed up with and married Ginni Lamp, who grew up surrounded by far-Right conservatives. Kirk's documentary is Clarence and Ginni Thomas: Politics, Power and the Supreme Court.
“FRESH AIR” from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.
LISTEN TO DAILY EPISODES OF FRESH AIR
www.npr.org/po...
LISTEN TO OTHER FRESH AIR INTERVIEWS ON KZfaq (published once a week)
• Fresh Air
SUBSCRIBE TO FRESH AIR+ FOR BONUS EPISODES
plus.npr.org/f...
FOLLOW “FRESH AIR”
/ freshairwithterrygross
/ nprfreshair
whyy.org/freshair (Newsletter)
LISTEN TO OTHER NPR PODCASTS ON KZfaq
Code Switch: / @nprcodeswitch
Throughline: / @nprthroughline
It’s Been a Minute: / @npritsbeenaminute
Book of the Day: / @nprbookoftheday
SUBSCRIBE TO WHYY AND NPR
WHYY: / @whyyphiladelphia
NPR: / @npr
NPR Music (Tiny Desk): / @nprmusic
Jazz Night in America: / @jazznightinamerica
NOTE: Captions are auto-generated by KZfaq.
See “Fresh Air” sponsors and promo codes
www.nationalpu...
The NPR shows you love are possible thanks to your support. Donate today: www.npr.org/do...

Пікірлер: 157

@kimberlychodur3508 Жыл бұрын

He absolutely has no empathy from growing up the way he did.

@timmorvant1998 Жыл бұрын

I grew up in Louisiana with my Dad taken away from us by illness that I suspect was caused by exposure in the military. It didn't take away my empathy

@KingAngel4Life Жыл бұрын

Thomas and his wife aren’t getting away with anything. Every Evil Dog has it’s day. Hopefully they can’t sleep. They think they know God? They don’t. God knows them. Pitiful couple.

@constancewashington9019 Жыл бұрын

KARMA

@terrylautt5366 Жыл бұрын

What kind of judgement do our elected politicians have to appoint such a person to the highest American Court?

@kevinchambers1101 Жыл бұрын

In this case, excellent judgment. Thomas happens to be an excellent judge.

@kellycorbelle7988 Жыл бұрын

Kevin, you must hate women. I suppose you're also living in your parents' basement. Lose some weight dude.

@Mary-gp9qk Жыл бұрын

Gin, gin too.

@goodgracious2392 11 ай бұрын

It wasn’t any kind of judgement. He was bought and paid for by the federalist society.

@johnmother9938 11 ай бұрын

We’re seeing what kind of judge he is now - a corrupt vengeful liar Happy to accept billionaire benefits and hide them.

@JacobSolbux Жыл бұрын

so when do they get indicted? chances are, there is way more stuff we dont even know about yet.

@housekeeping3561 Жыл бұрын

Exactly

@housekeeping3561 Жыл бұрын

How about immunity they are immune from every righteous quality known to man they are immune scumbags

@joycejimenez4532 Жыл бұрын

After listening to Anita Hill again this man did do this, his wife had alot of power to help him out of this situation this will come back and hurt them

@housekeeping3561 Жыл бұрын

Right but we can only hope I dare say it will never happen

@Mary-gp9qk Жыл бұрын

Yep, yep, yep! I didn't forget Anita Hill, I Watched it. Left an impression.

@Mary-gp9qk Жыл бұрын

All that weight can sink a boat. Too much weight in one spot o n earth effects rotation. If you know what I mean. No. He(they )must go.

@michelekett8450 Жыл бұрын

Many black people had tough cruel lives and didn’t end up taking handouts from billionaires.

@kevinchambers1101 Жыл бұрын

But Obama taking handouts from Billionaires is OK?

@housekeeping3561 Жыл бұрын

Hey, Clarence, baby is getting his reparations he’s getting payback for all the suffering he went through from his ignorant family

@mistygibbs2122 Жыл бұрын

Most black people who grew up under similar circumstances don't know any billionaires 😂!

@kevinchambers1101 Жыл бұрын

@@mistygibbs2122 I would say that the majority of Whites that grew up in those circumstances don't know Amy billionaires also. So what's your point. People shouldn't know people you don't know?

@bertharuiz1225 10 ай бұрын

Handouts? This r gifts w interest behind them. Do you n you gain favor for me. Wrong motives behind these gifting. Corruption to the core.

@drumcircler Жыл бұрын

Such a long term disgrace!

@tj3920 7 ай бұрын

😂 silly & irrelevant

@willtoll43 Жыл бұрын

Ginni looks like she is wearing a Xmas tree. Clearance looks like Uncle Ben's

@williepipkins497 Жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣🤣

@kevinchambers1101 Жыл бұрын

Two racists it looks like withvthe two of you. Typical racist Democrats.

@housekeeping3561 Жыл бұрын

That is the funniest thing I have read all day you win!

@49neenee Жыл бұрын

Both of them should be locked up

@goatgirl5968 Жыл бұрын

There's that old saying that " if nobody treats you as you think you should be treated maybe the problem is you." I wonder if justice Thomas has ever done any introspection.

@kevinchambers1101 Жыл бұрын

Have you ever listened to him or do you just believe all the garbage to hear from a biased site such as this?

@housekeeping3561 Жыл бұрын

He is the worst sexist racist. He wants reparations big-time, and he’s getting him on his yachts and private jets with his buddies he’s disgraceful.

@goodgracious2392 Жыл бұрын

I can find no sympathy for these two… i believe Anita Hill.

@Larrymh07 Жыл бұрын

She took and passed a lie detector while he refused to take one. That says something.

@michelletoth8600 Жыл бұрын

I always trusted Anita. She got no reward for her honesty.😢

@susanseverance9683 Жыл бұрын

Anita Hill was a troubled young woman. She was presented at the time as a "Reagan Republican," completely false. A (female) college classmate of mine -- of impeccable character -- testified against AT's claims of poor treatment in the workplace by CT and made a case for Hill pursuing him. At the time of the hearings I was experiencing maltreatment by a male boss. If I had had the opportunity of getting away from him -- while keeping my job status -- I would have taken it in a minute. On the contrary, AH assiduously followed Thomas from post to post--not the action of an "abused" woman. No, for these and other reasons, I never believed Anita Hill.

@Larrymh07 Жыл бұрын

@@susanseverance9683 ...which at the end of the day is projection and gossip.

@blueberry-ri7eb 11 ай бұрын

Lots of people did. She had no reason to lie. Also friends that went to College with him said he was always making dirty cracks . I feel bad that Anita had to put up with it to keep her job.

@judithgrace9850 Жыл бұрын

Do not feel sorry for sellout CT.

@nancyjo1957 10 ай бұрын

The sell out is you who will believe every lie leftist media puts out.

@clairebear1808 Жыл бұрын

Anita Hill knows exactly the crime what he’s capable of.

@sbrose3776 Жыл бұрын

Seems his grandfather was right.

@not_THAT_karen Жыл бұрын

3.75 GPA is NOT the top of the class. Such a puff piece. Further Thomas a Clearly was a direct beneficiary of Black activism to even get that scholarship. Shame on him to rebuke affirmative action. I believe he a self loathing black man.

@kevinchambers1101 Жыл бұрын

Then you've never listened to him. Only a true racist would believe what you said about him.

@catgirl3913 Жыл бұрын

Yes, agreed!

@garyjohnson1466 Жыл бұрын

Clarance Thomas is a perfect example of why all perspective Supreme Court nominees should go through a comprehensive complete background and psychological examination before they are appointed, just as all appointed federal judicial judges have standards of conduct so must Supreme Court justices….

@clairebear1808 Жыл бұрын

💯

@catherinereynolds9644 11 ай бұрын

He wasn't bought until he was of value to rich men, when he became a supreme Court justice. All his best buddies never took him on an Indonesia trip before he was on the SCOTUS. They weren't even his "friend" until he had value to them.

@garyjohnson1466 11 ай бұрын

@@catherinereynolds9644 of course, an Thomas only cares about wealth and power, so, he using them as much as they’re using him, Thomas doesn’t care about anyone or anything except getting wealthy, something he never had growing up, and wealth can buy a certain amount of respectability and freedom….

@makita883 11 ай бұрын

I remember them doing just that to get this piece of 💩 confirmed. He lied and the republicans backed up his lies. Anita Hill tried to put him… but she was ignored. The whole Scotus system has been corrupted by the elite. Period..!

@tj3920 7 ай бұрын

You clearly didn’t watch the grueling proceedings of him becoming a Supreme Court judge

@wallpaper5300 Жыл бұрын

OK, so that explains it, hey judge go run and rob a bank. I got your back. 😂😂

@juditrotter5176 Жыл бұрын

Years ago Oprah had an episode with a large group of black women. The subject was power and race within the black community based on skin color. Some were very light like Obama and others were very dark like Clarence. The effects were very crushing. I’m not surprised that he experienced this in the black and white community.

@zzulm 11 ай бұрын

Colorism

@mysty3334 11 ай бұрын

I had a very bad childhood but it gave me more empathy - not less! I think it is awful that you are trying to excuse what he has became!!! As adults - we choose how we act towards others - how we behave!!!

@shellOceans3083 11 ай бұрын

Yes!! I agree!!

@donaldkkearse3986 Жыл бұрын

His wife has always been his handedly

@malikkimanimaasai3703 Жыл бұрын

Looking @ both clarence & ginni it looks like she's the man (Taller, broader shoulders, manly features etc.) more than him makes you wonder who wears the pants in that marriage as well as other things hmmm...

@benqurayza7872 Жыл бұрын

The story of Clarence Thomas is tragic. The social hierarchy of majority racism within an oppressed minority community is familiar to me. Thomas's appointment to the Supreme Court was a cynical political ploy by President Bush II. We appoint smart but fallible people to the Court. That is why we should limit them each to one 18-year term.

@tj3920 7 ай бұрын

The reason it’s a lifetime appointment is to prevent lobbying. Our forefathers who painstakingly constructed the constitution knew what they were doing.

@danieltossounian1962 Жыл бұрын

I can’t stand to look at them…

@LMLewis Жыл бұрын

They just believed what Thomas said about his early life? After he's been proven to have lied about himself? Frontline has lost all credibility.

@Lise-ds1zb Жыл бұрын

These two are a ...... 🚫.

@WarrenHolly Жыл бұрын

Just found out how the republicans cheated in 16. I knew he was illegitimate. I knew they cheated. That's why he started talking about the rigged election a year before the election. That's when I knew. Thank you Mr. Paxton.🤗

@kathleenmann7311 11 ай бұрын

“Absolute power corrupts…No one should be appointed to a LIFETIME government position !! Impose term limits for all government employees.

@linushahs396 Жыл бұрын

Should we believe anything uncle Thomas says?

@spirit5228 Жыл бұрын

Especially since his pulse on the country comes from Jennie, the conspiracy theorist.😮

@dinkyb2000 Жыл бұрын

absolutely not

@Larrymh07 Жыл бұрын

He's in with the in crowd. That's all he and his wife care about.

@newviolets8489 Жыл бұрын

Sounds like he had more than most. Poor kids don't get all the things he was getting. Another spoiled brat with a poor-me story. I don't believe this story. Phony .

@housekeeping3561 Жыл бұрын

Hey, wow, am new violets I never even thought of that, but it did occur to me. This could be a lot of poor me. Pour me pour me another milkshake in his case by the weight he is carrying. You took the words out of my brain I couldn’t really come to terms with all this, but you’re exactly right you, my friend, must have a higher IQ than me I guess and I can accept that. Thanks for the insight smarty-pants! Every time I look at the face of the gracious and humiliated Anita Hill, I could throw up thanks, Joe Biden for running that committee just the way you like it and just the way this country is exactly today good Lord

@RobertTombs Жыл бұрын

Not owned. No, not at all.

@lue4724 Жыл бұрын

My what a cute couple! Next time ginni- don't wear a green dress- it makes you look like a big Xmas tree - w/your red hair! (& clarence looks like a "big California raisin" ornament) Just saying!!😃

@williepipkins497 Жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

@Larrymh07 Жыл бұрын

I'd rather not attack their appearance. I'm not much to look at myself. However, the real ugliness to be scorned is their character!

@lue4724 Жыл бұрын

@@Larrymh07 I am seeing the ugliness & corruption from the inside! It's not about what they have on anyway- but to bring attention to them/him - not being fit to serve on the SCOTUS. The reality is - he shouldn't have been confirmed in the first place!!!!

@housekeeping3561 Жыл бұрын

And we can certainly thank Senator Joe Biden for that when he publicly humiliated Anita Hill who in my opinion is a hero Joe Biden is a dog for doing show her what a dad how do you like that Jill?

@cesky76 10 ай бұрын

Hey it's the Thomas' , Beluga and Manatee.

@jessicadavis3989 Жыл бұрын

Dude is a huge disappointment! So sad of what he could’ve accomplished and just didn’t because MONEY

@virginiamaniscalco9075 11 ай бұрын

He's still corrupt.

@chuckfrezzel348 5 ай бұрын

This is a documentary about how bad it was for Justice Thomas when it should be about how he overcame adversity and bucked the society norm. He had every reason to quit, but he was able to let go of his anger towards people and realized the only way forward was to get off his knees and get an education even though at the time he had dismissed his faith. One of my favorite quotes from Justice Thomas is, “I ran from my faith but I crawled my way back”.

@judybailey9031 7 ай бұрын

Corruption extreme, both of them.

@sthomas7688 Жыл бұрын

Clarence, what slavery can do to a person 😔 😟 🙁 😥 😞

@kevinchambers1101 Жыл бұрын

What does slavery have to do with any successful life? That's a question only a racist like you would make.

@jamesbrucemaner7154 4 ай бұрын

well I like him and very proud of him not afraid to speak his mind.strong black man .

@courtneybrubaker9738 3 ай бұрын

You know who else hid money from the IRS and ran his bribes through his wife?!

@blueberry-ri7eb 11 ай бұрын

Why is this guy whispering? Sounds creepy.

@NJacana Жыл бұрын

Two months later, nothing happens.

@ber334 Жыл бұрын

What's wrong with this guy's voice?

@fancylouie Жыл бұрын

what does it matter? i could understand him, couldn’t you?

@ber334 Жыл бұрын

@@fancylouie you're right! :-) I'm not even sure why I said that. There might have been some things I didn't understand because he seemed to be whispering sometimes but you're right that shouldn't matter. Thank you

@blueberry-ri7eb 11 ай бұрын

Creepy

@sophiaann2986 9 ай бұрын

I can’t believe that he committed suicide after being caught.could have been a hit.now the mom is homeless and going to her sons funeral.can’t believe that he killed him self.too much pressure.if he had lived he could’ve written another book from prison .the book would have been about all his adventures vacationing in Walmart parking lots.the books title would have read”sleepover at Walmart

@henrykemka2164 Жыл бұрын

29:56

@survivormary1126 Жыл бұрын

Wha fckn WHA!

@makita883 11 ай бұрын

No sympathy at all for these two corrupt individuals. I don’t care what Thomas had lived through… what he has become is an American disgrace. They both belong in jail..!!

@PheeroanAklaff Жыл бұрын

Back to "fetal position" please.

@janedoe1229 Жыл бұрын

How much was npr paid to do this. 😢

@WarrenHolly Жыл бұрын

I knew it. I knew they had cheated in 16. An now the republicans have said it out loud he talking about a rigged election a year before the election. He knew he lost in 16 and most likely going to lose in 20. He's always been illegitimate. Thank you Mr Paxton 🤗

@sbrose3776 Жыл бұрын

You must be a member of the "law and order party."

@spirit5228 Жыл бұрын

That's what I was thinking because the documentarian sure sounds bias.😅

@WarrenHolly Жыл бұрын

@@spirit5228 when did it get biased for you? When he was a panther? When his college mates made fun of him? Exactly when?

@catherinereynolds9644 11 ай бұрын

Truth hurts sometimes.

@TheAyeAye1 Жыл бұрын

NPR was my main source of news for over a decade. This is the kind of baseless hit piece that put me off donating to it and eventually listening to it at all.

@not_THAT_karen Жыл бұрын

Yup to call a 3.75 GPA the top of his class. I threw up a little

@kevinchambers1101 Жыл бұрын

I'm stunned by the garbage coming out of it now.

@housekeeping3561 Жыл бұрын

I disagree with both of you. This is the real Clarence, Thomas Mr. big shot 3.75? Oh, Lord, I was just graduating from college when affirmative action became a big thing and it was a big thing and that’s why he is where he is today.

@shellOceans3083 11 ай бұрын

Yes, NPR has lost its credibility, heart, and soul. It's a great loss.

@mizellcommunity901 Жыл бұрын

ADA title ll technical policy's constitutional laws ADATITLE2TORTCLAIMS access ♿ to the court account mizell vr Hamilton mizell vr neuss mizell vr Hernandez pending cases appeal pharma poparus disabled prosecutor prose

@Lise-ds1zb Жыл бұрын

Thumbs DOWN. 🦨🦨🦨🦨🦨's

@obedirect5491 Жыл бұрын

Agst Thomas or Michael for this needed exposé?