Justice Clarence Thomas (left) and University of Texas provost William Inboden, on stage together at an event yesterday at UT. Photo: Asher Price/Axios
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas made a case for the embrace of Western civilization on university campuses during an address at the University of Texas on Wednesday.
State of play: Thomas, one of the court's most conservative justices, said he was invited by Justin Dyer, dean of the new School of Civic Leadership.
What they're saying: Thomas framed his talk as inaugurating the "great initiative" by UT "to restore the teaching of civics and Western civilization to a central place in its flagship university."
Thomas celebrated the Declaration of Independence —which he called "one of the greatest anti-slavery" documents of Western civilization.
The bottom line: Thomas urged courage in the face of challenges to personal principles, including "running for your school board when you see that they are teaching your children to hate your values and our country."
