May 31, 1998

Hill-Thomas Redux Stirs High-Tech Lynching Party Again

The failed "high-tech lynching" of Supreme Court Nominee Clarence Thomas seven years ago stirred again last week when the University of Oklahoma stated it would not fill an endowed professorship named for his accuser Anita Hill.

Aficionados of gender battle know that Miss Hill suddenly remembered in August 1991 -- her mind being refreshed by the U.S., Senate confirmation hearings -- that ten years earlier Mr. Thomas may have said some crude things to her.

No exposing of genitals, mind you, or lewd invitations. Everybody does that, and who cares?

Worse. The first Republican, conservative, African-American judge nominated to the highest court in the land was alleged to have said to her: "There's a pubic hair on my Coke can" and described his sex organ as "Long Dong Silver." Liberal Democrats and feminists suffered heart palpitations.

After weeks of sparring by opposing ideologues on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee -- on whether Hill could make her charges anonymously -- her identity was forced into the open by a leaked FBI file. Thomas was grilled for three days by Sen. Howard Metzenbaum (D-Ohio). Sen. John Danforth (R-Missouri) led the counter-attack against Hill.

On an unprecedented Sunday night hearing, televised in prime time, a stylishly dressed, neatly coifed Hill related her unsupported charges in calm, measured tones.

Thomas exploded. He complained bitterly that the circus was a "high- tech lynching" of his character and reputation. This emotional outburst from a shy black man -- about an inquisition by white men -- is credited with turning the tide in his favor.

Hill's credibility faded when Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) revealed that the "Long Dong Silver" statement was the same as that in a Kansas law journal circulated to her Oklahoma University students. The "pubic hair" comment was lifted from an old movie titled "The Exorcist." Thomas had hired Hill, also a Yale law school graduate, in 1981 when he was head of the Department of Education. She followed Thomas when he moved from the Department of Education to chairmanship of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Hill resigned when Thomas chose a more experienced woman for his chief of staff. He steered Hill to a job with Oral Roberts University, but she left after one year to become professor of "gender bias and sexual harassment" at OU, her undergraduate alma mater.

From there she often made friendly telephone calls to Thomas -- until he was nominated to the Supreme Court. Then she told the Kansas City Star that he was unfit to be a justice because "I think he honestly believes self- help is best for all disadvantaged."

The Judiciary Committee could not agree on a recommendation to the full Senate. Hill's accusation, and Thomas' denial, is a classic case of she- said he-said.

Several southern Democrats crossed the aisle to vote after opinion polls disclosed 60 percent of African-Americans thought Thomas was more truthful than Hill. The final tally was 52-48 in favor of confirmation -- the closest in history.

Thomas went on to become a hard working justice whose logic is credited by court watchers with swaying his colleagues on many opinions -- the worst fears of liberals realized. He often is booed when he speaks to college audiences.

Hill returned to a mixed reception at OU. Liberal faculty members hailed her. Most students criticized her. Nonetheless, Hill's admirers -- led by movie stars Barbra Streisand and Marlo Thomas -- raised $250,000 for an endowment to augment her salary. The college regents matched the contributions, bringing the fund to $500,000 and allocating an additional $25,000 annually to a law professor with a "national reputation on sexual harassment." Animosity towarad Hill -- a registered Democrat, militant black activist and feminist -- created unpleasant working conditions for her. She resigned two years ago to lecture and write about gender and sexual harassment issues. She lives tolerably well from a million-dollar book deal and $25,000 speaking fees from special-interest organizations. A second book is in preparation.

All is not well, however, on OU campus. The law school dean says he has no plans to fill the Anita May Hill professorship because of "faculty down sizing." Contributors to the Hill fund are starting to ask that their money be refunded.

A bill to abolish the law school -- if it does not withdraw the Hill endowment -- failed in the state legislature. The Oklahoma Conservative Committee says it will initiate a referendum petition in August to get the job done.

The hang rope still dangles, but it is not clear whose neck ultimately will go into history's noose.

PARTING SHOTS

Mike McCurry, Clinton's press secretary, says the Republican suggestion that the president not go to China next month as planned would "dis" that country. Doo dah main man know his press dude jives Ebonics?

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Bread always falls jelly-side down.

By Lindsey Williams, columnist for Sun Coast Media Group newspapers