Essay on American Government Part 2
Essay on American Government Part 1
Clarence Thomas’ Grandfather’s Son is the story of his professional and personal development and experience of his rising to the Supreme Court juror, although the author focuses rather on interracial and personal issues than on his career achievements and work in the Supreme Court, which he almost omits to describe in his book.
Chapter 6 A Question of Will
The author describes his departure from Monsanto and move to Maryland and his first impressions of his life in the State of Washington. The author describes his early experience of that life and reveals differences, which has experienced between his life before and after he moved to Washington.
At the same time, the author focuses on his work with Senator Danforth. Thomas was responsible for energy, environment and public work, but the work with the Senator helped him to acquire a valuable experience of working in the US government system.
In addition, the author has finally got time to reflect on racial issues and interracial relations.
Chapter 7 “Son, Stand Up”
The author reveals the first major publicity after his appointment to the position to lead EEOC. Thomas reveals concerns of Hispanics about his indifference to their interests that shows that minority groups did not stand on the common ground and they were concerned with advancement of their representatives to power.
Furthermore, he describes his experience of working in the EEOC and challenges the agency faced. For example, he reveals financial difficulties, which affected the performance of the EEOC substantially and how he dealt with those issues.
Moreover, the author reveals that he confronted rather hostile environment within the EEOC and top management of the agency, where the position of the Republicans was strong and where he, as a representative of a minority group, confronted biased and prejudiced attitude, which he had to change to lead the agency.
Chapter 8 Approaching the Bench
Thomas focuses his attention on the change of media coverage of his performance as the leader of the EEOC and positive feedback the Washington Post and other media have given him. In addition, he stresses the importance of such positive publicity, which allowed him to ‘approach the bench’ or, at least, helped him consistently in this regard.
On the other hand, the author reveals the fact that the positive feedback of media was not only due to his work and achievements but also and mainly because of the intention of the media to criticize his opponent and rival.
In addition, Thomas reveals his progress and close cooperation with Reid Detchon, who was writing speeches for the Vice President. Such cooperation gave Thomas an opportunity to communicate to the public problems African Americans face and key issues affecting interracial relations in the US.
At the same time, he started to consider options to continue his career and came across Mike Uhlmann. This encounter has opened the way for him to ‘approach the bench’ and the author reveals his concerns about such an opportunity and doubts whether he will be good in that position or not. Remarkably, the author uncovers the important role of Virginia in the decision making process concerning his further career because she gave him advices that helped him to take the final decision.
Chapter 9 Invitation to Lynching
In this chapter, Thomas discusses false allegations compiled by Anita Hill concerning his sexual harassment attempts. The author describes his disturbance and shock, when he has learned from FBI agents the reason, why they called on him. The author describes in details his cooperation with FBI agents concerning the case and the detailed story of Anita’s employment as well as their relations, which were sheer professional ones. The chapter reveals the deep sense of frustration, which the author has experienced that made him to give such a metaphorical title of the chapter since the FBI investigation and allegations he has faced were similar to lynching for him. In addition, the case was apparently a threat for his further career development.
Chapter 10 Going to Meet the Man
Thomas reveals his appeal to Senator Danforth as an opportunity to keep him from attacks of his opponents and rivals. The author is already aware of schemes and false allegations used by his opponents to weaken his position and simply to get rid of him. This is why he appeals to the Senator looking for support and protection from unfair methods of struggle against him. The author describes in details his speech, which he prepared to communicate to the public to reject all allegations and explain his position as well as the attack of his opponents. Remarkably, Virginia and Senator Danforth were the first ones, who has got acquainted with the speech.
Conclusion
Thus, these chapters reveal the formative period in the career of Thomas from the moment he moved to Washington and started his career in the EEOC to his further promotion and approaching the bench that resulted into unfair methods of struggle against him.
Quotes:
“The Washington Post was taking favorable notice of the changes I was making at EEOC – an unexpected switch after so many years of being raked over the coals in the media” – this quote shows the negative media coverage of his work in the past, which was probably determined by his racial background and his position of an outsider, and the change which was unexpected for him.
“A Hispanic critic claimed that I’d been “insensitive” to Hispanics during my time at the Department of Education” – this quote shows concerns of racial minorities about their representation in government agencies and public offices.
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