The great George Takei calls Justice Clarence Thomas "a clown in blackface." Does not regret it. Update!

So as you can imagine the response to that utterance from the Right was both swift and aggressive.

However instead of walking back his remarks, Takei defended them:  

A few fans have written wondering whether I intended to utter a racist remark by referring to Justice Thomas as a "clown in blackface." 

"Blackface" is a lesser known theatrical term for a white actor who blackens his face to play a black buffoon. In traditional theater lingo, and in my view and intent, that is not racist. It is instead part of a racist history in this country. 

I feel Justice Thomas has abdicated and abandoned his African American heritage by claiming slavery did not strip dignity from human beings. He made a similar remark about the Japanese American internment, of which I am a survivor. A sitting Justice of the Supreme Court ought to know better. 

I have expressed my full thoughts on the matter here.

First I have to say that I fucking LOVE George Takei who has done a great deal to support the LGBT community and equal rights in this country. 

Even if you are not a Star Trek fan it is all but impossible not to admire George Takei.

So I will say that while I personally would not have used the "blackface" comment, as a gay Japanese man who spent time in an internment camp during World War 2, I think that George Takei is one of the few people who can say it without losing a shred of credibility.

And yes Clarence Thomas is a fraud, and a disgrace to African American people in this country.

Update: It looks like Takei did end up bowing to criticism and apologizing.