I don’t think Sen. John Cornyn III (R-Texas) understands how this works. I could be wrong, but I don’t think you need a white sponsor to be inducted into the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In fact, I don’t think you get inducted, since it isn’t the Hall of Fame. I surely don’t think you need a senator to include a resolution for you to have a “prominent place” in said museum.
Nevertheless, apparently Cornyn isn’t happy with Supreme Court Justice Clarence “I’ve not said more than three words since being appointed to the bench” Thomas’ position in the museum and wants it to be more prominent, because, you know, whiteness and all.
The museum didn’t omit Clarence Thomas; Clarence Thomas has omitted Clarence Thomas.
Quick: Tell me one time that Thomas has done anything. Not just for black people—just done anything. Clarence Thomas is the real-life Bartleby, the Scrivener. He is there because we see him. And he is alive because he is there. And he does stuff, like sit and stand and say, “I would prefer not to.” But other than that, I don’t know what he does.
Wait—I do know what he will be doing Friday: swearing in Vice President-elect Mike Pence, so there is that.