After the Supreme Court overturned protections for abortion rights, outraged advocates are reflecting on the story of Anita Hill, the lawyer and scholar who has been advocating for women for more than 30 years.
Hill stepped into the spotlight in 1991 when she brought allegations against Clarence Thomas as he was being nominated for the Supreme Court. Sitting before the Senate Judiciary Committee during the televised nomination hearings, Hill detailed a graphic encounter, saying she was sexually harassed by Thomas when he was chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Thomas, who has been serving on the Supreme Court since 1991, faced more scrutiny on Friday. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Thomas also called for dismantling same-sex marriage, contraception and other rights, CNN reports. Social media users then resurfaced Thomas’ controversial history, particularly the accusations he faced from Hill.
Justice Thomas is a great reason why we need term limits for the Supreme Court.
— Jack Cocchiarella (@JDCocchiarella) June 23, 2022
Thinking about Anita Hill today. Thinking about what she went through.
Believe women. Please.— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) June 24, 2022
Anita Hill tried to tell you about this man, and now him and his wife are trying to fuck our shit all the way up. https://t.co/y5Xwjkrt0P
— Rebekah Weatherspoon✨ (@RdotSpoon) June 24, 2022
Anita Hill tried warned us against Clarence Thomas. pic.twitter.com/rbscCYDsQA
— MBali 💫 (@TheJessieWoo) June 24, 2022
Three women who were called liars:
Anita Hill
Dr. Blasey-Ford
Hilary ClintonBecause they told the truth and were not believed, we’re in the mess we’re in today. Patriarchy/misogyny has its consequences.
— 🏳️🌈CMM🏳️🌈 (@moorloc) June 19, 2022
Who else believes SC Thomas sexually harassed Anita Hill? I do. I watched her testimony on tv. He is a arrogant, chauvinist, egotist,traitor.
— Marie stapel (@Mariestapel1) June 24, 2022
I am just going say it, because it needs to be said in 2022. Everyone should have listened to Anita Hill in 1991. She tried to tell everyone and instead you maligned and disparaged our sister. She's way too classy to ever say it, but I'm not: TOLD YOU SO.
— Heather Campbell (@ThatHeatherC) June 24, 2022
As Blavity previously reported, the Supreme Court made its ruling with a 6-3 decision on Friday, striking down the landmark decision that protected the right to abortion for nearly 50 years. Many states are now expected to outlaw or severely restrict abortion.
“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the opinion. “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.”
