1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. a) For how long has Clarence Thomas served as a Supreme Court Justice?
b) Justice Thomas is only the second black justice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. What is significant about his tenure?

3. What type of ratings did the documentary “Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words” receive?

4. For what reason did Amazon remove Clarence Thomas’ documentary from their streaming service?

5. Justice Thomas is an originalist - a judge who interprets the law as written; originalists (also called constitutionalists) determine what the original intent was when the founders wrote the Constitution.
Republicans generally appoint originalists. Conservatives support this judicial philosophy.
In contrast, Democrats generally appoint activist judges. Liberals/progressives support this judicial philosophy. Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg was an activist justice. Black’s Law Dictionary defines judicial activism as a “philosophy of judicial decision-making whereby judges allow their personal views about public policy, among other factors, to guide their decisions.”
Why do you think Amazon removed the documentary of Justice Thomas “In his own words” from their streaming service?

6. Mark Paoletta notes: “This is a film that should be widely streamed by Amazon at all times – and particularly during Black History Month – to show the diversity of thought in the black community and to celebrate Thomas’s amazing life journey. Amazon does a great disservice to all Americans, and particularly black Americans, when it decides not to show an inspiring film about an incredible Black American during Black History Month.” Do you agree or disagree with this assertion? Explain your answer.

CHALLENGE: Find a way to watch ”Created Equal: Clarence Thomas in His Own Words.” What is your opinion of Justice Thomas’ life story?