Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said critics question his Blackness because of his views on race and politics.

Thomas said, 'Look at me,' and pointed out that some people think being Black is a state of mind.

Thomas made these comments during a conversation with Peter Robinson at the Hoover Institution. They talked about Black Americans in politics and how economist Thomas Sowell helped Thomas think about race and politics.

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Thomas said he felt pressure to hold certain views because he was Black, but he began to question them when he was younger.

Thomas said the media and politicians tell Black people their views are wrong and that they are bad.

At Yale Law School, Thomas disagreed with the idea of busing Black students to different schools.

Thomas said people told him he shouldn't believe certain things because he was Black.

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Thomas argued that Black leaders often have different views than ordinary Black Americans on issues like school busing.

Thomas said that when you ask Black leaders and ordinary Black people about issues, they often have different opinions.

Thomas said Thomas Sowell's work helped him understand his own views on race and politics.

A friend introduced Thomas to Sowell's book 'Race and Economics', which helped Thomas feel less alone in his views.

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Economist Thomas Sowell criticized the US education system, saying it traps students and families in a cycle of failure.

Thomas said Sowell's ideas were like a breath of fresh air, making sense of his own thoughts and feelings.

Thomas did not always agree with Sowell's ideas.

As a Yale student, Thomas initially rejected Sowell's book 'Black Education: Myths and Tragedies'.

Sowell's example gave Thomas the confidence to express his own views, even when criticized.

Thomas spoke out on racial gerrymandering, saying we should go further.

Thomas said if people can prove him wrong, that's fine, but they shouldn't call him names or question his Blackness.

Thomas tied these attacks to the pressure on Black Americans to hold certain views.

Thomas said there's a public view that Black people should think a certain way, and if they don't, they're discredited.

The US Supreme Court is seen in Washington, D.C.

Thomas said the biggest lesson he learned from Sowell was to think for himself.

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Thomas said Sowell always speaks his mind, but never tells others what to think.

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Thomas said there's pressure to agree with prevailing notions, which he thinks are illusionary.

Elaine Mallon is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, covering national politics.