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Clarence Thomas' Wife Asks Anita Hill for Apology

1 year ago
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When Brandeis University professor Anita Hill got a phone message earlier this week from a woman purporting to be the wife of Clarence Thomas, she assumed it was a prank and reported it to campus police.

But ABC News said Tuesday the message was legitimate. It was indeed Virginia Thomas, calling to ask Hill to issue an apology for testifying against her husband during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings 19 years ago.

"I just wanted to reach across the airwaves and the years and ask you to consider something," Virginia Thomas said on Hill's school voice mail. "I would love you to consider an apology sometime and some full explanation of why you did what you did with my husband. So give it some thought and certainly pray about this and come to understand why you did what you did. Okay have a good day."

Virginia Thomas wrote in an e-mail to ABC News that she called Hill to extend "an olive branch to her after all these years, in hopes that we could ultimately get passed (sic) what happened so long ago."

"That offer still stands, I would be very happy to meet and talk with her if she would be willing to do the same," Thomas continued. "Certainly no offense was ever intended."

But Hill apparently did take offense, telling ABC News it "was in no way conciliatory for her to begin with the presumption that I did something wrong in 1991."

Hill said she has no intention of apologizing, saying she stands by her testimony, in which she accused Clarence Thomas of making lewd and harassing statements when they were colleagues in the 1980s.

"I simply testified to the truth of my experience," Hill said. "For her to say otherwise is not extending an olive branch, it's accusatory."

Filed Under: Supreme Court

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Kathy The Great

WHO cares about their issues?!?! The United States has HUGE issues to deal with right now. The petty marriage issues of a Supreme Court Justice is the LAST THING we need to focus on right now!!!

October 20 2010 at 10:32 AM
Kathy

Extending an olive branch? She can't possibly expect anyone to believe that! Her voice mail was way out of line.

October 20 2010 at 10:32 AM
fatsosdad

Ms. Thomas must have some serious guilt issues.

October 20 2010 at 10:31 AM
Lee-Anne Oros

I still find it disgraceful that Clarence Thomas serves on the US Supreme Court. I graduated college in 1991, thus I was beginning my career as I watched the hearings about Thomas' actions. I was appalled by his behavior, but even more upset that regardless of his harassment of Anita Hill, he became one of the most powerful people in our country. Shameful. Since such behavior is acceptable in the highlest levels of our government, it provides awful examples to our children and our entire society. Obviously his wife also believes he should be granted permission to act in an offensive, vulgar manner. Both Thomas' should hang their heads in shame; instead, their ignorance is displayed proudly.

October 20 2010 at 10:31 AM
Lorraine

I wonder ..if this has bothered Mr. Thomas...maybe shes trying to help him lift his burdon? after all this time she should leave this alone. Almighty God knows the truth of this....leave it to Him.

October 20 2010 at 10:30 AM
ukuda2

How very rude after so long of a time to think that someone would change a statement 20 years later. Based on what was published as the message there was no olive branch it was accusatory! It almost appears as Mrs. Thomas had nothing to do and wanted a little attention or or maybe Justice Thomas hasn't felt any lime light recently.This was a move that showed no more class then the allegations did 20 years ago. The unfortunate thing that wives must live with is the fact their husbands can be totally different people when they are not around. When you are dutiful without a doubt you will believe your spouse even when their hands is still partially in the cookie jar.

October 20 2010 at 10:30 AM
John

This is news why? Oh yeah, all of these news sources have to fill time and pages with something....It's over let it go on both sides.

October 20 2010 at 10:28 AM
Paula

People! This was AGES ago.... can we please move on????

October 20 2010 at 10:27 AM
Colette

Ahhhh....I think its Clarenece that owes the apology!

October 20 2010 at 10:27 AM
Mary Jane

Why would Mrs Thomas want to bring up the after all these years. Who really cares anyway, life goes on and I think she should get on with the rest of their lifes and forget this gossip.

October 20 2010 at 10:27 AM

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