This past weekend, Justice Clarence Thomas delivered a commencement speech to the graduates of Hillsdale College, advising them to “not hide your faith and your beliefs” in God and country.
Thomas acknowledged that in a world where students’ college careers have become more about ‘safe spaces’ and ‘privilege,’ standing up for one’s beliefs seems more like “a bygone era.”
The man who has served on the Supreme Court for 25 years suggested that students bring back that bygone era.
“Do not hide your faith and your beliefs under a bushel basket,” he demanded. “Especially in this world that seems to have gone mad with political correctness.”
Thomas, leading by example, admitted to being “unapologetically Catholic, unapologetically patriotic and unapologetically a Constitutionalist.”
Via Fox News Insider:
Clarence Thomas addressed the connection between liberty and personal responsibility in a powerful commencement address yesterday, lamenting what he called “a bygone era” of the “hallmarks of my youth.”
“I admit to being unapologetically Catholic, unapologetically patriotic and unapologetically a Constitutionalist,” the Supreme Court Justice told Hillsdale College graduates.
“Do not hide your faith and your beliefs under a bushel basket, especially in this world that seems to have gone mad with political correctness.”
Using his upbringing on a farm as a frame of reference, Thomas said that these days, “hallmarks of my youth, such as patriotism and religion, seem more like outliers, if not afterthoughts.”
“There could be no freedom without each of us discharging our responsibilities. That was first and foremost,” he recalled.
Compare and contrast Thomas’ commencement speech to that of President Obama, who instead of discussing the future with students at Rutgers University, took the opportunity to campaign against Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
He slammed Trump’s specific proposals on building a wall and tightening up Muslim immigration.
And unlike Thomas who longed for the bygone era of God and country, Obama told students “When you hear someone longing for the good old days, take it with a grain of salt.”
Comment: Whose commencement speech was better and more appropriate – Justice Thomas or President Obama? Should we return to a time when God and country was more important, or should we move more towards Obama’s vision of the future? Share your thoughts below.
