I am old enough to have a foot in the ld ways where certain racist thoughts, activities, practices were accepted even among educated gentile people. The high school I attended school mascots and sports teams were called the "Chinks" (really) although that was not meant as racist in intent I ever could figure out, I have no idea what the root of the names use was. Our mascts dressed in stylized Chinese outfits and lead the cheers for the teams.

The courthouse had signs directing non whites to use the water fountain in the basement. That changed when i was in grade school and I can't say it influenced me any. I just never understood racism. To me, people were people and deserved to be treated as such. Right up to the point that they proved they should be treated differently because of their ACTIONS. I heard what was going on, I saw the signs and other sad things and I knew that some people treated others differently than they wanted to be treated themselves. But, I think it did not effect my life. My best buddy who saved my life on at least two occasions in vietnam was a black guy - who was convinced that I was hopelessly naïve.

I then spent a number of years in the Army which is as completely integrated as anyplace can be and as the new guy I was appointed OIC of a group of troops where I was the only white guy. They were more than a bit surprised that I really did not see race in any interactions had with them and I was surprised by this from them. When my family and I returned to the US we moved to ElPaso Texas, and for the first time in my life I experienced racism. Not from whites, but from the Mexicans toward us white folks. In my typically naïve manner I didn't understand why when I gave a order to my employee they would agree to my face, but the work would often not get done, but if I told a foreman what I wanted, he could go and give the employee the same order and the job would get done. Asking the foreman about it, he VERY uncomfortably told me that it was because I was a white man and they were just not going to take orders from a white guy. I was shocked. I treated them all the same, exactly as I would expect to be treated, but here I was being told the guy who signed their paychecks was not going to be allowed to give orders because I'm white and they felt I had no right to give them orders. Amazing.

As my eyes were further opened I saw more and more of this. Even my kids faced it until we put them in private school. Whites were not welcomed, except for our money, they had no problem accepting that.

In time WE learned to deal with it and as we learned the language that helped, as we participated in local events, helped in the schools, learned to communicate in ways they would accept, things got better. To the point that I'd move back tomorrow if I could.

What do you think about Justice Thomas' opinion and how he presents his case?