AP US Gov
Period 3
3/2/16
Sex and Justice
Prompt #1-
High tech lynching is a widely publicized and unjust sabotage of one's reputation. Clarence Thomas believed that he was under attack by Prof. Hill, for she was ruining his career, destroying his name and dignity. His flawed explanation for her motives were that she was playing the race card to end his political career. Prof. Hill recounted her ordeal with precision, giving the Senators exact details of the sexual harassment she received from Thomas. The congressional committee was divided in their attitude towards Prof Hill. Some of the members attacked her, especially Howell Heflin, who had the audacity ask if she had a martyr complex. Their treatment of Thomas was unfortunately fairer than of Hill. However, some Senators, like Ted Kennedy took Hill's side and berated Thomas and the other members of the committee for using the race card and not taking Hill seriously. I think the way some Senators clearly took Thomas' side and made Hill look bad during the hearing affected the outcome.
Prompt #2-
The Hill v Thomas proceeding was similar to the Red Scare hearings held by Joseph McCarthy back in the 1950's. The Hollywood people (actors, screenwriters, producers, etc) were publicly forced to testify that they were anti-communism. Until they did so, McCarthy and his administration blacklisted fines, and jailed them. The notorious Hollywood Big Ten refused to testify in court, and all were deleted from Hollywood. They were jailed, fined, and struggled to find work as actors again. I see power being abused in both cases. McCarthy and Thomas overstepped their authority (I know that Thomas was found not guilty by the courts, but I believe he is guilty). However, I do see a comparison on how Thomas was being treated just as the actors from 1950. They were all publicly humiliated, and had dirt smeared across their names.
Prompt #2-
The Hill v Thomas proceeding was similar to the Red Scare hearings held by Joseph McCarthy back in the 1950's. The Hollywood people (actors, screenwriters, producers, etc) were publicly forced to testify that they were anti-communism. Until they did so, McCarthy and his administration blacklisted fines, and jailed them. The notorious Hollywood Big Ten refused to testify in court, and all were deleted from Hollywood. They were jailed, fined, and struggled to find work as actors again. I see power being abused in both cases. McCarthy and Thomas overstepped their authority (I know that Thomas was found not guilty by the courts, but I believe he is guilty). However, I do see a comparison on how Thomas was being treated just as the actors from 1950. They were all publicly humiliated, and had dirt smeared across their names.
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