Thomas Tells Black Lawyers He’ll Not Change

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas faced down some of his harshest critics Wednesday, telling the nation’s largest organization of black lawyers that he will not succumb to pressure to alter his conservative legal views even if it means being branded a traitor to his race.

In a simultaneously plaintive and defiant address before the National Bar Assn., the court’s lone African American justice said he will not succumb to pressure to “follow the prescription assigned to blacks” and that those who expect him to think a certain way simply because of his race are denying his “humanity” and want him to be “an intellectual slave.”

Thomas’ appearance marked the first time that the justice has so squarely confronted his critics and demonstrated his continued resolve to take on his detractors even in the face of criticism that often takes on a scathing, personal tone.

In what has become almost a ritual, his speech at the bar association’s annual convention prompted weeks of turmoil after several prominent members of the group voted to withdraw his speaking invitation after it had been extended. The controversy continued in the hours before Thomas’ address when some association members circulated handbills calling on people to walk out on his speech. Others prepared placards protesting his appearance.

Ultimately, no placards encouraging protest materialized during Thomas’ speech and only about a dozen people walked out.

Since President Bush appointed him to the court seven years ago, Thomas has been vilified by many African American opinion leaders who see him as a key figure in the high court’s efforts to dismantle affirmative action and other race-conscious initiatives that not only benefited Thomas himself, but also helped create a generation of black professionals.

In his speech Wednesday, Thomas made clear he has not become inured to the reaction--and he is not changing his views.

“It pains me deeply, more deeply than any of you can imagine, to be perceived by so many members of my race as being a harm,” Thomas said.