Alabama State Representative: Justice Clarence Thomas an “Uncle Tom”

The Montgomery Advertiser reports:

It’s no surprise that Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, burst out on the House floor last week with comments that were, well, seemingly random.

Rep. John Merrill, R-Tuscaloosa, was discussing his bill that would essentially change the state test structure for professional engineers and land surveyors. The bill gave the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors the ability to make decisions about the testing.

“A number of times, he’ll use a vehicle to expound his personal beliefs unrelated to the Legislature,” Merrill said.

After Merrill discussed the bill, Holmes went to the podium and asked how many black members were on the board. Merrill, knowing the answer off the top of his head, said none.

Holmes asked how many have applied in the past. Apparently, Merrill was able to get that information. The answer was none — and that the staff member managing the board has tried to recruit minority applicants.

Somehow the conversation shifted from that to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Holmes called Thomas an “Uncle Tom,” and listeners heard him appear to say that he didn’t like Thomas because he was married to a white woman.

Shortly after, House Speaker Mike Hubbard told Holmes he needed to keep comments “germane to the subject.”

Holmes replied with what could possibly be a fact about Thomas — that he wanted to be an engineer but couldn’t get into school for it.

Just before the House erupted into laughter, Hubbard remarked that he just had to settle for Supreme Court Justice instead.

And so Tweets from the press room went out.

Holmes, who said he’s had news reporters call him from across the country, clarified his comments for the Advertiser.

“I said that Clarence Thomas was an Uncle Tom because he went to college on an affirmative action program,” Holmes said. “I said since he’s been on the U.S. Supreme Court, he has voted against every affirmative action program to help poor people get an education. That’s the reason I called him an Uncle Tom.”

Holmes added that despite what people may have thought they heard, he didn’t say he hated Thomas because he was married to a white woman. . . .