Justice Clarence Thomas Trivia Quiz

Answer: The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

In an interview, Thomas stated he decided not become a priest when he overheard his fellow students rejoicing at the news of King's death. Thomas said he believed that the Catholic Church did not do enough to fight racism in its institutions or in the community. He later majored in English at the College of the Holy Cross.

Answer: John Danforth

It was under Danforth that Thomas first started feeling ambitious about a career higher up on the ladder. John Danforth was instrumental in getting Thomas nominated to the Supreme Court and pushing his confirmation through despite the controversies surrounding Thomas.

Answer: Monsanto

Thomas' connection with Monsanto has caused a number of controversies. In 1991, Thomas did not recuse himself from the case E. M. Ag Supply, Inc. v. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., which allowed for genetically-modified plant breeds to receive patents. While Monsanto was not a direct party to the case, the company still had a financial stake in the outcome.

Answer: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ginsburg had been appointed to that court in 1980, nearly ten years before Thomas. The two, despite having completely opposite judicial philosophies, became good friends. Thomas spent only a year and a half on the appeals court before being nominated to the Supreme Court.

Answer: Thurgood Marshall

Marshall had announced his retirement in 1991 and was seen as a champion of civil rights. Activists and supporters of Marshall had wanted a replacement in his mold. They were disappointed with Thomas, who was perceived as not being pro-civil rights. Thomas was confirmed narrowly and became the Court's second African-American justice.

Answer: Sexual harassment by Anita Hill

Anita Hill worked under Thomas at the Department of Education where Hill claimed Thomas has made sexual remarks at her. Thomas denied the accusations and many witness testified on his behalf. Then-Congresswoman Barbara Boxer led a delegation of women to the Capitol Building after she, and many others, believed the mostly male Senate was not taking the allegations seriously. Thomas confirmed by 52-48 vote, which was the closest confirmation vote for a justice in over a century.

Answer: False

Justice Thomas rarely, if ever, speaks while on the bench. He also does not give media interviews very often. Thomas states that he doesn't speak very much because he likes to listen to the arguments being presented by the attorneys. He once went almost seven years without speaking during oral arguments.

It has been speculated that Thomas doesn't speak very much because he is self conscious about his English as he grew up speaking Gullah. Thomas has been known to pass notes with questions on them to his colleagues so they will ask them for him.

Answer: A savage beating of a prisoner by a guard

Thomas was criticized by his opponents for what they said was Thomas' belief that the beating was constitutionally permissible. Thomas defended himself by saying, which is clearly written in his dissent, that he believed the beating was illegal, but there were other ways to deal with it without having to use the eighth amendment.

Answer: Cross burning

Thomas was the only pure dissenter in Virginia v. Black (others had both concurred and dissented.) Thomas said that cross burning was one of the rare "First Amendment exceptions" because it was always offensive and used as a means of intimidation and thus could be considered fighting words, which are not protected free speech.

It should be noted that the majority of the Court in this case struck down the ban on cross burning in Virginia because it placed the burden of proof of intimidation on the speaker (the cross burner) and not the state. It did explicitly rule that cross burning is constitutionally protected speech.

Answer: Walker v. Texas Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans

This case dealt with whether or not the state of Texas had to issue Confederate Flag license plates. Texas had declined to do so, saying the flag was offensive. Thomas sided with the liberal justices in declaring that Texas, and all states, have free speech rights and do not have to make license plates that the state deems offensive.