(The Root) — Conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas compared affirmative action to Jim Crow and segregation today in the case of Fisher v. the University of Texas. Abigail Fisher brought a lawsuit against the university after being denied admission, alleging that she was rejected because she is white, violating her constitutional rights. The court voted 7-1 to defer ruling on the case, sending it back to a lower court.
On the matter of affirmative action, Justice Thomas said, "Slaveholders argued that slavery was a 'positive good' that civilized blacks and elevated them in every dimension of life. Segregation likewise defended segregation on the ground that it provided more leadership opportunities for blacks." Affirmative action, he argues, is another "straight-faced representation that discrimination (helps) minorities."
Justice Thomas' comments drew strong reactions from people online, with most either in staunch agreement with or staunch opposition to his assertion. Unsurprisingly, most folks who are outraged with Thomas are black; most who agree with him are not.
Love this man ————-> "Attaining diversity for its own sake is a nonstarter." - Clarence Thomas
— Shelli P (@Shelli_P3) June 24, 2013
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Tracy Clayton is a writer, humorist and blogger from Louisville, Ky.