Last weekend notable men and women across the nation were invited to give commencement speeches at our nation’s universities. President Obama spoke at both Howard University and Rutgers University, while Justice Clarence Thomas was invited to Hillside College. The two men offered very different content and intensity during their addresses.
The singular commonality the men shared was in the subject of racism. Both believe that there has been significant progress. I do not agree with them, but I live in a different world.
The President stressed the need to vote and be involved. He stressed the point that advocacy means not only fighting for your beliefs, but listening to those who oppose yours, regardless of how extreme they may be. He told them to ask the tough questions, and listen to their answers. If their answers are invalid or weak, address them with vigor and a positive retort.
President Obama encouraged these young men and women to be active in their government, and disbelieve the notion that they cannot make a difference.
Justice Thomas invoked the radical conservative point of view. He stressed the errors in political correctness and emphasized personal character with a focus on family and neighbors, and denounced activist efforts to force ‘top-down change.’ His speech was far more concerned with what he believes is ‘being a good citizen.’ “As you go through life, try to be that person whose actions teach others how to be better people and citizens,” he said.
Thomas stressed blind patriotism and placed a great importance on religion, while claiming that they have a lesser place in our society today, and ignoring the fact that his party is partially owned by the Christian religious right.
My generation is the Vietnam War generation. We had many slogans as we opposed an unwinnable war without purpose or end game. We believe today that protesting wrongs committed by those in power is patriotic. Most of us believe that religion is a personal right and should not be influential in our government.
Thomas was Antonin Scalia’s ‘lap dog.’ He took his orders well and consistently votes today for the most extreme right wing issues. He is part of the problem; not the solution.
As the Court has become increasingly political, our nation’s government has become ineffective. For the people of our nation, the Supreme Court was our last hope of supporting or denying issues based upon their adherence to the Constitution.
Scalia bent the meaning of the Constitution to favor his views on issues; Thomas mimicked his decisions.
For me, two issues which were heard by the Court define what is wrong with all three branches of our government today; political bias.
Citizens United represents the worst of the Court. Declaring the right of corporations to be declared ‘people,’ and therefore allowed to contribute unlimited campaign contributions without full disclosure has resulted in the buying of seats in Congress. At a time when campaign contribution limits were under discussion, the Court, led by Scalia, gave carte blanc to the one-percent in its efforts to remake our nation into a plutocracy.
The second issue should never have been heard by the Court. Abortion, itself, cannot be considered an issue conjoined with Constitutional rights; it has already been guaranteed. Individual freedom was the cornerstone of the Bill of Rights. Women must be supported in their rights to make decisions regarding their own bodies. Only when the Court allowed the Christian religious right to influence decisions, did abortion become a political issue.
Two very different men with two opposing views of what it means to be a good citizen.
For me, no one can claim to be an American if they fail to cry out when they believe that they are oppressed by our nation’s leaders. The foundation of our nation was built on protest and political action.
Individuals who fail to voice their opinions are not citizens; they are slaves.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
The Truth With No Restrictions 