Speaking Truth to Power

by Anita Hill

Book Overview

After her astonishing testimony in the Clarence Thomas hearings, Anita Hill ceased to be a private citizen and became a public figure at the white-hot center of an intense national debate on how men and women relate to each other in the workplace.??That debate led to groundbreaking court decisions and major shifts in corporate policies that have had a profound effect on our lives--and on Anita Hill's life.??Now, with remarkable insight and total candor,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385476256
• ISBN13: 9780385476256
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 374 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Courageous and SO, SO TRUTHFUL

Anita Hill proves that she was telling the truth with this book and I always knew that she was. It's so sad that so many were able to demonize and scandalize this woman and her intentions, but in the end, the TRUTH always wins. This powerful autobiography is a MUST READ, a book that you won't be able to put down or to forget. I'm so glad I read it.

a dignified and intelligent lady

I am so glad I read this book - it gave me insight into what a wonderful woman Anita Hill is in explaining the ordeal she went through in testifying at "the hearings." I must admit that at the time, I didn't believe Hill's testaments; she appeared nervous and uncertain whereas Thomas appeared very sure of himself, was outraged, and even went so far as to cry before the Senate Committee and television cameras. Of course, I now realize that was just an act.Anyhow, I thought that after the hearings were over, Anita Hill went back home to Oklahoma and went on with her life, the ordeal forgotten. After reading this book, I had no idea that Hill endured further harassment from students at the university where she taught, faculty, the media, and people who never knew her nor she them. It was downright outrageous and disgusting.Hill writes eloquently about her roots, her upbringing in Oklahoma, her years at Yale Univ. Law School, and her job at the EEOC where she worked under Clarence Thomas and the harassment she endured from him, her subsequent career change all the way up until the hearings. It's all interesting and worth reading.Anita Hill is the catalyst for which the laws of sexual harassment have changed and claims for which are now taken very seriously. It is very unfortunate that she had to take such torment and emotional brutality as a result of it, as if harassment from Thomas wasn't enough in and of itself.That Thomas is now sitting on the highest court in the land for life, knowing the content of his character and demeanor, is indeed disturbing. But I hope that deep inside he is sorry and feels the utmost remorse and guilt for his mistreatment of Anita Hill and all his other victims. The truth always come out - maybe not today or tomorrow - but eventually it does. Thomas knows what he did, and the world knows what he did despite his "categorical" denials.It is my hope that Anita Hill finds the peace and happiness she deserves. Her life will never be the same, as she herself admits, but unfortunately almost all movers and shakers's lives were and are forever changed. An insightful and honest book, I recommend it highly.

A lady of class and integrity.

What a lovely, lovely woman and with what class does she tell her story! How unfortunate that we live in a country where sexual harassment is so difficult for men to understand, and yet so pervasively cruel and persistent! And how very unfortunate that such a man as Clarence Thomas now has so much power in our government, power that we know he can not be trusted with. But how surprising is that really, today? Respect for women is hardly a qualification for office in the US Government, and it may never be if we don't all work together to make that difference -- and it's going to be a lot harder than it should be.Anita Hill is a clear, calm, concise writer with a powerful story to tell. It is not easy to speak Truth to Power, but it is an essential element of making a difference. I honor all those who take the risk. I know how difficult it can be. I also know how very important it is. Anita Hill did not choose to be harassed, and she did not choose to be a weapon, but when called, she responed, and she told the truth, as awkward as it was for her. For those who would ridicule her ordeal, I can only say that no one should have to tolerate the inappropriate sexual behavior that exists in the workplace. We know it exists on the highest level. We know better than to say it couldn't be true. And we know Anita Hill got no pleasure from answering such personal, humiliating questions. She did what was expected of her, and it was *her* integrity that suffered, *her* career that wobbled while Clarence Thomas triumphed. His judgement leaves a lot to be desired, IMHO. I honor the efforts of Ms. Hill to honor the truth of her experience.

At long last I could read the book I've waited for!

I found this book fascinating from beginning to end. I had been riveted to the TV during the hearings, and it was the same with the book. I have always felt that Hill was treated shamefully by first Thomas, and then the Senate. She was thrust into a political nightmare she had not expected, and reading the details of events that occured confirmed not only that, but much, much more. She was courageous and amazingly kept her dignity through the most undignified arena one could find themselves. I'm so grateful she was given the opportunity to tell the complete and compelling story--I hope it did her a world of good. It certainly made my day!

Anita Hill's words speak truth to seekers of truth.

Speaking Truth to Power is a watershed work of honesty and simplicity. One greatly overlooked point explains how she came to the attention of the Senate Committee overseeing the confirmation of Clarence Thomas as Supreme Court Justice. She was sought out because of common knowledge of her experiences by several Washington "insiders". No radical feminist, she -- Anita Hill was never sponsored by anyone but herself. She stood up for truth because her integrity demanded it of her. The "powers that were" filtered out all but what they wanted to hear. As a result, the "spin" of Thomas' supporters came through much louder and clearer than the truth. She suffered. She was maligned. Man or woman, Democrat or Republican, Caucasian or other, human beings who have ears to hear cannot help but identify with her struggle.