Clarence Thomas is my homeboy.
How did I get so close to the youngest, cruelest justice of the Supreme Court?
Because we are both against affirmative action-him in academia, me in fashion. Whiners who complain about the lack of black models in Prada runway shows for the past 12 seasons are themselves inherently racist. Should Russel Marsch cast a model just because she is black, or should he cast her on hew own merits as a model? I think he, and Miuccia Prada are correct in casting the best models of the moment, regardless of their skin colour. To cast based on a quota, or by affirmative action would denigerate the true beauty of black models.
I do disagree with his anti-affirmative action stance on higher education. Colleges admit students based on a complicated formula, with variables such as SAT scores, grades, sports and legacy. Blacks are often denied the privelage of access to these variables, and are at a disadvantage. Clarence Thomas himself was fortunate to be educated by Irish Catholic nuns who were without the racism of his home state. To be taught without prejudice is an enviable experience few black people are gifted enough to experience.
However, modelling is an ugly business of beautiful women. It is based on looks and greed. And no amount of affirmative action will change that.
