Bases Quote by Clarence Thomas
“I believe that there is a moral and constitutional equivalence between laws designed to subjugate a race and those that distribute benefits on the basis of race in order to foster some current notion of equality… In my mind, government-sponsored racial discrimination based on benign prejudice is just as noxious as discrimination inspired by malicious prejudice.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Confirmation Hearing, US Supreme Court, 1991
Thomas argues that laws favoring one race and those oppressing another are morally and constitutionally equal, both harmful.
In simple terms: Both types of race‑based law are equally wrong.
Key Takeaway
Treat all citizens equally under the law.
Themes
equality
justice
constitutional law
civil rights
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
legal
political
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- court cases
- civil rights advocacy
Key Concepts
discrimination
affirmative action
legal ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it possible to achieve true equality without race‑based policies?
- How do we balance redressing past harms with equal treatment?
A Different Perspective
Affirmative action aims to correct historic inequities, which some view as necessary.
![“The Constitution does not vest in Congress the authority to protect society from every bad act that might befall it…[I]f followed to its logical extreme, [this approach] would result in an unwarranted expansion of federal power.” quote by Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f68/clarence-thomas-7661_approach_the-constitution-does-not-vest-in-congre_86587.jpg)
![“A theory deeply etched in our law [is that] a free society prefers to punish the few who abuse the rights of free speech after they break the law rather than to throttle them and all others beforehand.” quote by Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/939/clarence-thomas-7661_abuse_a-theory-deeply-etched-in-our-law-is-tha_407519.jpg)
