Farris:
Justice Thomas, in your book, My Grandfather’s Son, you have a lot to say about education. Tell us about the early phases of your own education and how your teachers impacted your life.

Justice Thomas:
Well, you know my grandfather always said you couldn’t be dishonest in making your way in the world so you have to always work. And he made sure since he had no education that he thought that that made it doubly difficult for him, so education was absolutely crucial. We went to parochial schools, to Catholic schools, and the nuns even in the segregated environment, their expectations were very high. But they also lived among us. They didn’t live in a separate part of town. The nuns were always there, and I think that in that era it was a clear indication that it was so critical to us that we be educated and that they loved us so much that they would be right there all the time. So by the time I got out of the eighth grade, the seeds had already been planted of high expectations. That the feeling that you could accomplish it if you worked at it, and the role that good people could play in your life as you grew and expanded and became better educated.

Farris:
Thank you so much, Justice Thomas. Listeners, join us next time as Justice Clarence Thomas shares what he learned from the grueling experience of his senate confirmation hearings. I’m Mike Farris.