Anita Hill - On October 11 and 12, 1991, all the
major television networks pre-empted their
fictional afternoon soap operas and much of
their evening and weekend schedules to broadcast
the real-life political soap opera of the Senate
Judiciary Committee's investigation of Anita
Hill's accusations of sexual harassment against
Supreme Court justice nominee Clarence Thomas.
More than 40 million U.S. households watch the
two-day televised hearings and the networks lose
an estimated $15 million to $20 million in ad
revenue.
The hearings were instigated by National Public
Radio host Nina Totenberg whose broadcast
reported that the Judiciary Committee had not
taken Hill's charges seriously.
In a calm and dignified manner, Anita Hill, a
University of Oklahoma law professor, reported
to the Committee that while in his employ,
Clarence Thomas allegedly handed her a can of
soda with a pubic hair on it, talked about
pornography and videos starring Long Dong
Silver, and repeatedly advised her of his sexual
prowess.
The graphic testimony entertained, and shocked
many but mostly it brought to the forefront, the
topic of sexual harassment in the workplace.
In the end, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted
to approve Clarence Thomas' nomination to the
Supreme Court, much to the chagrin of many
Americans.
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