For some time, a major push within cancel culture and even the Black Lives Matter movement was to do away with statues of people from the past who might have supported the confederacy. This move to erase a dark chapter in America’s past led to an intense debate as some historic figures like Christopher Columbus and Robert E. Lee were eventually removed. But on Monday, the Georgia State Senate passed a proposal 32 to 21 to place a new statue inside the State Capitol of none other than Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Although the proposal still needs to pass the Georgia House before being handed to the Governor, it appears Democrats are already against the move. 

While the statue would be financed using private donations, Democratic state Senator Nikki Merritt didn’t seem to care about the money but the fact Justice Thomas is a “traitor”. She said, “I think I have a pretty intimate knowledge … on how we, black people, as a collective feel about Justice Thomas. We think he’s a hypocrite and a traitor.” Although using the word “we”, she was sure to add she doesn’t speak for all black people. 

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For those who might not know, Justice Thomas is an African American himself, who was born in Georgia and has spent more than three decades on the Supreme Court. Having served the highest court in the United States since being nominated by then President George H. W. Bush, Merritt believed that the move to honor the Justice is nothing more than a move from “white America”. 

The Supreme Court has taken over headlines lately as Justice Stephen Breyer announced plans to retire. Having a vacant chair open on the court, President Joe Biden said he would keep his campaign promise to nominate the first black woman for the role.