This week I attended a luncheon featuring Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as the keynote speaker. It was an incredible opportunity to hear a sitting Supreme Court justice in person, speaking about the path by which he reached his current position, as well as the role he plays on the current Court. Not only that, but his personal story is one that encapsulates the American dream – a young boy born into extreme poverty rises up to become one of the greatest men in America. His story exemplifies the truth that anyone can achieve anything with the freedoms we have here in this country.

The only thing that shocked me, though I suppose it really should not have, was the utter lack of publicity his arrival and time in Dallas generated. Not one local news outlet highlighted the event, to my knowledge, nor even mentioned that a sitting Supreme Court Justice was in town! The local newspaper did not write up the event in advance of or after its occurence. The only place I could find mention of the event was on blogs, and organizational websites of participating organizations.

Compare that to the previous year, when retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor came to Dallas. Months before her arrival, news outlets reported on her coming and gave information about the event. The public was made aware of the opportunity and her time here received much press. I attended that event myself, and enjoyed hearing her persepective about her time on the Court. The question is, why the difference? Why does one retired Justice receive an enormous amount of attention, while another sitting Justice receives barely any at all?

The answer may be found in the lone editorial reviewing Justice Thomas’ new book, in which the columnist writes:

If Clarence Thomas were a liberal, he’d be widely regarded as an American hero.

(interestingly, although the DMN editorial was written only a week prior to the event this past Tuesday, no mention is made of Justice Thomas coming to Dallas)