Role Model

 https://x.com/its_the_dr/status/1967769760080466058?s=51&t=cLq01Oy84YkmYPZ-URIMYw

I've seen this exchange a couple of times and it struck me as illustrative of where many college and university students are in 2025.  A few thoughts.  

1.  The concept that a young black man would look to Clarence Thomas as a role model seems completely foreign to her.   Especially as Kirk doesn't seem to be insisting that using Thomas as a role model demands agreeing with Thomas' conservative views.

2.  The fact that she is simply spouting bullet points with no idea whether or not they are True, and making up BS when confronted with the Truth about Thomas and banning interracial marriage.  

3.  It's almost like the young woman is baffled by the thought of a black man succeeding in anything except music or sports.    Not that there is anything wrong with success in those areas, but it's still a stereotype.  Also, the chances of significant success in sports or music are very small, while success in other areas of life offer much more opportunity.  

4.  Kirk could have named Ben Carson,  Condaleeza Rice, or any number of successful black people in areas other than music or sports.  Likewise, I'm not sure Kendrick Lamar is the worst example of a musician he could have cited.  

Ultimately the fact that this (presumed) college/university student was seemingly unable to comprehend that idea that a black SCOTUS justice could be a better role model than a rapper/musician does not give me much hope for the future.