Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Reflects on Early Life and Mentorship
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recently shared insights into his challenging upbringing in Pin Point, Georgia. He grew up in crushing poverty without running water and was raised by his grandfather after his mother was unable to. Despite these significant early life hardships, Thomas ascended to the United States Supreme Court. He attributes a pivotal moment in his intellectual development to reading 'Race and Economics' by Thomas Sowell as a young lawyer. Thomas described this experience as finding 'water in the desert,' as Sowell's approach of presenting evidence and arguments, then allowing the reader to decide, was a revelation. This intellectual honesty fostered a friendship between Thomas and Sowell that spanned over four decades. During a recent episode of the Hoover Institution’s Sowell Legacy series, Justice Thomas became emotional while discussing Sowell's profound influence, stating his decision to live the rest of his life as a memorial to those who shaped him, including Sowell.
