ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Andrews Air Force Base was honored this past Saturday with a visit from Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court Clarence Thomas, as he visited with local school children for an inspirational meeting and book signing of his new memoir My Grandfather's Son at the Base Exchange.
Eight students, along with their parents, welcomed Justice Thomas and his wife, Virginia, for a question and answer session with a dozen six to 15-year old children who peppered the Associate Justice with inquires ranging from: "Where were you born?" (Savannah, Georgia), to "What made you want to study law?" (To help fight injustice in the segregated South), to "What do you like to do for fun?" (Drive his large RV around the country with his wife). Justice Thomas enthralled the Henson Valley School students for nearly an hour with stories of his past and his dramatic outlook on life.
"It's simple. Never let people talk you out of your dreams. Find and learn from people who are positive. Negative people will make you want to quit a hundred times a day, but don't let them!" said Justice Thomas. "You do not have to do it all yourself if you work at it."
Col. Paul Ackerley, 316th Wing commander, thought this was a valuable lesson for the children to hear.
"This is an incredible opportunity for these kids to meet such a great role model. Justice Thomas' message is to these young children was to stay in school and study hard. Justice Thomas explained that what they were learning today would be the foundation to help them achieve their goals and dreams."
As the children's eyes grew bigger with each question, they leaned forward in their chairs, eager to hear more from the man who is arguably one of the most significant figures in the nation. Justice Thomas continued, "My grandfather was the most important and influential person in my becoming a judge, but he was also something of a tormentor to help make me a better person. That is partly why I wrote this book - perhaps the most important reason - to give young people a chance and a message of hope ... like my grandfather did for me."
Valaida Wise, principal of the Montessori school the children attend, said " What a fantastic opportunity for our kids! We have the chance to meet and ask questions of such a great man, a real part of history. The average person can't talk with someone who affects the entire country just any day. This is a real testament to our program and the class of this man." Continuing about Justice Thomas, who took the time to shake each student's hand and personally thank them for their questions she said, "Hopefully our students will remember this day forever!"
Often called "the most important Black man in America," Justice Thomas scoffs at this notion. "People only care about what you do, not who you are. This title would just be an extra burden, even if it were true. Almost everyone in this country comes from a disadvantaged background. It is what we do with the challenges we are given that makes us all important."