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.
I believed her then and I believe her now. Her testimony was so compelling.
11:08 PM - Aug 14, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I watched the hearing; I believed her then and I still do. Thanks for sharing.
10:59 PM - Aug 14, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Thank you for sharing this with us….. and thank you for standing up for what is right. I hope you had a measure of protection for any peril you might have faced for the benefit of others. Both you and Anita.
01:33 PM - Aug 13, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I didn’t know what to believe at the time. And long ago, I had to admit that she was a hero, and I believe her deep in my soul. Thanks for sharing and for the work you also do in standing up for what is right and doing goodness.
04:16 PM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Jacqueline Wallace.
Thanks for reading my thread. I'm glad I was able to give you nore perspective on Ms. Hill. Quiet souls are often misunderstood. ❤️
06:35 AM - Aug 13, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I was in law school at the time and after class a group of black students would go to a local pub and watch the hearings. I respected, admired, and believed Anita Hill. I also was pissed at the cowardice of the Democratic Senators at that time.
02:12 PM - Aug 12, 2023
(Edited)
In response to Calvin Watlington.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Calvin. I imagine there was a lot of anger among many Democrats in how the situation was handled. I recall that Anita Hill released a statement to the Press saying was glad the Dems didn't treat Christina Ford the same way when she spoke out about Brett Kavanaugh.
06:52 AM - Aug 13, 2023
(Edited)
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Fantastic story
I was young and unsophisticated when she first testified but even then there wasn't a moment I didn't think she was telling the truth
If only the world had listened.
I was young and unsophisticated when she first testified but even then there wasn't a moment I didn't think she was telling the truth
If only the world had listened.
09:47 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I believe her too. Wish I had room on my little avatar to add her name.
09:47 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Craig Tyler.
Hey, Craig...thank you! I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to read your message.❤️
07:12 AM - Aug 13, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Wow what a wonderful story, thank you for sharing, I remember being glued to the TV watching those hearings and her strength came right through, she is one of my heroes, Clarence Thomas should have never been allowed to serve in the Supreme Court
09:37 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Lydia Medina.
Lydia, what is it that Maya Angelou said?
When someone shows you who they are, believe them.
Clarence showed the world his true self when he falsely claimed Ms. Hill was lying. Things he and his wife are doing now just confirm this.
When someone shows you who they are, believe them.
Clarence showed the world his true self when he falsely claimed Ms. Hill was lying. Things he and his wife are doing now just confirm this.
07:16 AM - Aug 13, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I knew it back then and I still believe her now.
09:29 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cyndi Brown she/her.
Thank you, Cyndi! Hey, we have similar names. 🥰
07:16 AM - Aug 13, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Sometimes ... and only sometimes ... the heavens put a person of great interior strength in a place, a point in time and space, where their strength is required to face a generational challenge. I hope we as nation can appreciate her strength.
08:55 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I have always believed professor Anita Hill. She's struck me as such a kind and intelligent woman. Anita Hill is one of my heros.
08:47 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to KLFDetroit.
If you ever get to go to an event where Ms. Hill is speaking, please go. Ms. Hill needs our continued support everywhere she goes. ✊🏾
07:19 AM - Aug 13, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Of course she did. She wasn't the only one, but she stood up against that clown
08:43 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
WOW. Thank you for telling this story. And many many thanks to the brave Anita Hill.
08:38 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
Always did. For a woman, especially during those times and even today, to speak out publicly about someone on that subject has to be telling truth.
08:35 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Bev Turner.
Bev, many others on Spoutible have said the exact same thing. Makes you wonder how many women in their day-to-day lives could be better able to face the dragons in their lives if only the people around them said three simple words: "I believe you." ⚡
07:25 AM - Aug 13, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
What an inspiring share with which to start the wkend: TY!!
I just wanted to add how much I appreciate your decision to leave MsHill the private sanctuary of her home. Your decision (personally) reaffirms that you 2 extraordinary women are, indeed, connected: WOW!♥️
I just wanted to add how much I appreciate your decision to leave MsHill the private sanctuary of her home. Your decision (personally) reaffirms that you 2 extraordinary women are, indeed, connected: WOW!♥️
08:29 AM - Aug 12, 2023
In response to Cynthia Williams.
I haven't had a can of coke since that hearing
08:21 AM - Aug 12, 2023
