When we got off our tour bus at the Supreme Court last Friday I had no idea the treat we were in for. I knew the most senior member of the Supreme Court, Justice Clarence Thomas, would be speaking with us, but was blown away by how self-effacing, humorous and down to earth he is. I left wishing our whole country could hear from him, and would take to heart what he said. So I am sharing here some of what my Dad put together as a recap of our time with the Justice.
1. Since the late 1800s it has been tradition before every session for the Justices to give one another THE JUSTICE HANDSHAKE before walking into the Courtroom. It is a reminder of their united purpose regardless of their varying viewpoints. And it symbolizes the importance of civility and respect, which Justice Thomas says to this day is a tremendous hallmark of the Supreme Court.
2. On the same note, I found fascinating that in his 27 years on the bench not once has there been a raised voice, nor has any Justice gotten upset or stormed out of a meeting, even though many of those Justices, past and present, may agree with each other less than 25% of the time.
3. Though civility remains at the Supreme Court, Justice Thomas is concerned about where our country is headed without civility in the other branches of government and in our society as a whole. Case in point: people unfriending Facebook “friends” over voting differences! On this topic, Justice Thomas also noted that our Universities, which should be the bastions of free discourse for people of differing opinions (even strong differences) to listen and debate, are now squelching that discourse and debate.
4. Justice Thomas spoke about the need to teach young people about our history, the Constitution and where they obtain the rights that are often taken for granted or are not believed to be essential to our liberty. This country, unlike any other, understood at its founding that these rights must be protected and provided for in the Constitution, which is the foundation of our leadership in the world.
5. But in our country he noted we have protectors of our rights and consumers of those rights. His grandfather, an illiterate Georgia farmer, used to say, “Take care of the soil, if you want the soil to take care of you.” With this was the stressed importance of individuals being willing to serve where they are called and to take the necessary stands against infringement of rights and evil.
6. Justice Thomas himself had no plans, nor did he want to be a judge—he just wanted to live a quiet life. But as he learned from his grandfather, when called you rise up. He quoted Abraham Lincoln as having said something along the lines of, “always be prepared, so that you are ready.” “Ready for what?” Justice Thomas used to think, but now knows that if you are prepared you will be ready — for whatever comes your way. Makes me think of all the verses in scripture urging us to be prepared, to keep watch, on guard and ready– for Christ’s return, the adversary that is the devil and the trials and opportunities we will be met with.
7. In response to a question by a teenager about the future, Justice Thomas said, “Good luck and Pray!” He then elaborated that young people must be intentional and work hard. Also that they should set an example to their peers, use technology for good, know the Constitution and think through the important issues of life, again considering and learning why and how it is that the United States is a country where they each have the freedoms they do.
8. Justice Thomas said how easily our rights will be lost if it is not understood that our Constitution must be protected. He believes judicial decisions should be made based on that Constitution and not on the personal philosophy of a judge as to what they wish the law would be. In other words, respect the Constitution, also the laws enacted by Congress. And be civil at all times.
As you can see civility and respect kept resurfacing as a theme. So from him to me to you- whether you are left or right – can you imagine how different things might be if we took his cue?!
