Hans Mahncke(@HansMahncke):Gayle King’s astonishment that the holdout juror was a black man says a great deal more about her own prejudices than it does about the juror. Clarence Thomas spoke about exactly this mindset during his confirmation hearings 35 years ago, i.e. the idea that a black man is expected to think a certain way, hold certain views, and arrive at certain conclusions. And when he doesn’t, a lot of people simply cannot compute it. 35 years later, here we are again. A black man thinks for himself, reaches his own conclusion, and the reaction is disbelief.

2026.09.11 13:20

Gayle King’s astonishment that the holdout juror was a black man says a great deal more about her own prejudices than it does about the juror. Clarence Thomas spoke about exactly this mindset during his confirmation hearings 35 years ago, i.e. the idea that a black man is expected to think a certain way, hold certain views, and arrive at certain conclusions. And when he doesn’t, a lot of people simply cannot compute it. 35 years later, here we are again. A black man thinks for himself, reaches his own conclusion, and the reaction is disbelief.