1/17
This Saturday, I'd like to share positive story from my past. In honor of the desire across America to rid itself of Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas, I want to tell you about the time I met this gentke lady and what she told me about her life lessons learned because of Clarence.
07:00 AM - Aug 12, 2023
2/17
I lived in South Carolina for 5 yrs. During that time, I befriended a white woman...I point out her race for a reason...who hosted an annual party called the, "Anita Hill Party". The party was held on the anniversary date of Anita's 1st day testifying to Congress about Clarence Thomas.
07:03 AM - Aug 12, 2023
3/17
The white woman who invited me to the Anita Hill Party was an known reveler in the local community. She wore her skirts high and her tops low. Some of the older women whispered behind her back that she was "a damn radical who didn't know her place."
I loved this woman and called her "friend".
I loved this woman and called her "friend".
07:07 AM - Aug 12, 2023
(Edited)
4/17
My "friend" asked me one day if I wanted to come to her party of the year. I was excited. A party of the year? Who wouldn't want to go to something like that? When I asked her what the party celebration was about, she looked at me very nonchalantly and said,
"We're thanking Anita Hill."
Oh. Okay.
"We're thanking Anita Hill."
Oh. Okay.
07:13 AM - Aug 12, 2023
5/17
I must clarify here. I didn't interpret the phrase "We're thanking Anita Hill." to mean I was going to a party with 300 other women to meet and share drinks with THE Anita Hill.
But that's exactly what happened.
IT BLEW MY MIND.
But that's exactly what happened.
IT BLEW MY MIND.
07:17 AM - Aug 12, 2023
6/17
When I met Anita Hill, I was struck by the following,
1. Anita is a very soft-spoken person who is sort of shy, like me.
2. Anita is a very intelligent woman who appears unassuming.
3. Anita is a woman who has the strength of a lioness after what the world has and continues to put her though.
1. Anita is a very soft-spoken person who is sort of shy, like me.
2. Anita is a very intelligent woman who appears unassuming.
3. Anita is a woman who has the strength of a lioness after what the world has and continues to put her though.
07:22 AM - Aug 12, 2023
7/17
The woman who invited me to her party asked me if I wanted a few minutes alone to talk with Ms. Hill. Or Professor Hill, as she is called by people in academia.
I declined.
Then my "friend" said this to me:
"You'll never get another chance like this in your life. I want you to talk with her,"
I declined.
Then my "friend" said this to me:
"You'll never get another chance like this in your life. I want you to talk with her,"
07:26 AM - Aug 12, 2023
8/17
It's here that I must admit, I didn't understand why a WHITE woman would care whether or not I spoke to Anita Hill. Why would a woman of the White race go out of her way to make sure two Black women spent time together chatting?
After talking w/ Ms. Hill, I understood why.
We are kindred spirits.
After talking w/ Ms. Hill, I understood why.
We are kindred spirits.
07:30 AM - Aug 12, 2023
9/17
When I was introduced to Anita Hill by my friend, Ms Hill smiled graciously. But her smile also appeared weary to me. We shook hands and then my friend scuttled everyone around Ms. Hill and her male companion away. "Come on everybody! Let's give these two some space! Shoo!"
07:36 AM - Aug 12, 2023
(Edited)
10/17
If you've read this far you're probably wondering what I said to and asked if Anita Hill.
I told Anita Hill that I thought she was one of the bravest women in our country and thanked her for stepping forward to speak out about Clarence Thomas. To right a wrong.
Ms. Hill became still.
I told Anita Hill that I thought she was one of the bravest women in our country and thanked her for stepping forward to speak out about Clarence Thomas. To right a wrong.
Ms. Hill became still.
07:40 AM - Aug 12, 2023
11/17
I asked Ms. Hill if she ever regretted doing what she did to step forward and speak about Clarence Thomas. This is what she told me,
"Sometimes a person is asked by the heavens to do the one thing they dread to do. To do something they don't want to do. But the person does it because it's right."
"Sometimes a person is asked by the heavens to do the one thing they dread to do. To do something they don't want to do. But the person does it because it's right."
07:45 AM - Aug 12, 2023
12/17
Ms. Hill went on to share with me that she still doesn't understand why Clarence Thomas was placed into her life. She preferred being out of the problem situations in her life. She had no desire for notoriety in the public eye. She is a quiet woman who wanted a nice life for herself
07:49 AM - Aug 12, 2023
13/17
It's at this point that I shared with Ms. Hill that I had been asked to do things in my life...such as speak out against racist bosses in my corporate career...that had caused me personal pain and unwanted public scrutiny
Ms. Hill leaned forward and said,
"I would love to hear more."
Ms. Hill leaned forward and said,
"I would love to hear more."
07:54 AM - Aug 12, 2023
14/17
It was here that Ms. Hill's male companion walked over to the two of us and said to Ms. Hill that he thought it was time for her to return to the party..
Anita Hill stood up and grabbed my hand.
"Come and visit me in my home some time soon, okay? I want you to know you're not alone."
Anita Hill stood up and grabbed my hand.
"Come and visit me in my home some time soon, okay? I want you to know you're not alone."
07:57 AM - Aug 12, 2023
(Edited)
15/17
Ms. Hill turned rejoined the rest of the partygoers and the woman who invited me. I looked on as the women encircled Ms. Hill and she disappeared into the crowd. Her male companion turned to me and shook my hand.
"Anita really needed that talk You lifted her spirits. Please visit her."
"Anita really needed that talk You lifted her spirits. Please visit her."
08:03 AM - Aug 12, 2023
16/17
I end this story by telling you that I never forgot that encounter with Ms. Hill. I also never went to her home. I chose not to invade her home with my presence and my silly questions of her. Ms. Hill needed her home to be her sanctuary. I didn't need to affect that in any way.
So when ppl ask...
So when ppl ask...
08:07 AM - Aug 12, 2023
17/17
Do you believe that Anita Hill told the TRUTH about Clarence Thomas all those many years ago?
I say and will ALWAYS say,
"I believe Anita Hill."
/end
I say and will ALWAYS say,
"I believe Anita Hill."
/end
08:09 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
10:13 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
What an incredible moment! Anita Hill is a person who has had immense impact in our country. No doubt she was telling the truth. We owe it to her to keep battling for safety & fairness in our workplaces & out.
You are one of the best follows I have found here. Thank you for sharing, Cynthia.
You are one of the best follows I have found here. Thank you for sharing, Cynthia.
09:56 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Designing Women did a show about the hearings and it was unbelievably satisfying to watch. I stood up & cheered as Dixie Carter went off about it. Anita Hill will never be forgotten for her courage. And unfortunately, we know now sexual harassment of women was just ONE of Thomas's illegal practices.
09:38 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I watched the Thomas confirmation hearings, and I was LIVID as I watched a group of white men attack Anita Hill's testimony & her character. It was obvious they were clueless about sexual harassment & how women had to cope with it. Hill's courage brought the issue front & center for the first time.
09:29 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you so much for sharing this story. ❤️❤️❤️
09:28 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
A remarkable experience for you. Much thanks for recounting. Anita … I always believed her.
09:28 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you for sharing. And for your own bravery.
08:19 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Janet aka April.
My battle scars thank you for those kind words. 🙏🏾
08:37 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you for sharing. As too often before, those in power did not believe a Black woman...aaaand here we are, with a SC judge STILL hurting others and getting away with it (for now?). I appreciate ALL who are going outside their comfort (safety) zones to hold accountable others who do harm.
07:52 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Diana Tyler.
Thank goodness there is a movement in this country for more women of all races to speak out when the actions of the powerful hurt us. I bet Anita Hill is so cautiously happy to see more Americans supporting and not questioning Black women when we speak our truths.
08:41 AM - Aug 12, 2023
