Clarence Thomas has benefited from aid programs and affirmative action throughout his life. Which is not a bad thing; I don’t think affirmative action is reverse racism (or classism or sexism or whatever issue it’s addressing). If Thomas needed help, it’s good that he got it.
Except that now that he’s sitting pretty — life appointment to a powerful, high-paying job, generous “gifts” from billionaires — he’s happy to demand the rest of black America (though I’m sure it applies to struggling non-blacks too) pull themselves up by their bootstraps. In a case over Republicans in South Carolina gerrymandering to weaken the black vote, Thomas’ view is that courts should do nothing to protect black voters’ rights. Hell, the courts shouldn’t be doing anything to enforce Brown vs. Board of Education — Thomas is not a fan of that one, either.
I don’t know if his gift-giving millionaire buddies such as Harlan Crow like this line of decisions or if it’s Thomas sincere view that affirmative action and desegregating schools are bad but he was willing to make an exception when it was in his interest. Nothing remarkable in that. Former Rep. Paul Ryan got into college because his family received Social Security disability for one of his relatives. He benefited from the social safety net, then dedicated his political career to destroying it.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott got a multimillion dollar disability settlement years ago but as a politician he’s made it much harder for anyone suing in Texas to get the same. After all, he’s got his money and the disabled aren’t as important to his career as the rich businessmen who might become plaintiffs.
NC would-be Republican governor Mark Robinson, in addition to being a misogynist, hates the welfare safety net — except when he can use it to make money.
Plus, of course, there are the women who benefit from feminism while shitting on it.
Some of them may genuinely have convinced themselves that their situation is special: it’s a just world and they deserve their benefits. Their abortion is absolutely necessary, not like the sluts who need to face the consequences of their sluttiness! Others know perfectly well they’re full of it but the money or the fame or the political advantages are too great.
Whether self-aware or not matters not. Their conduct is loathsome either way.
