because i was extremely uncomfortable talking about sex with him at all and particularly in such a graphic way, i told him that i did not want to talk about these subjects. i would also try to change the subject to education matters or to nonsexual personal matters such as his background or his beliefs. my efforts to change the subject were rarely successful.
throughout the period of these conversations, he also from time to time asked me for social engagements. my reaction to these conversations was to avoid them by eliminating opportunities for us to engage in extended conversations. this was difficult because at the time i was his only assistant at the office of education -- or of
fice for civil rights.during the latter part of my time at the department of education, the social pressures and any conversation of his offensive behavior ended. i began both to believe and hope that our working relationship could be a proper, cordial, and professional one.
when judge thomas was made chair of the eeoc, i needed to face the question of whether to go with him. i was asked to do so, and i did. the work itself was interesting, and at that time it appeared that the sexual overtures which had so troubled me had ended. i also faced the realistic fact that i had no alternative job. while i might have gone back to private practice, perhaps in my old firm or at another, i was dedicated to civil rights work, and my first choice was to be in that field. moreover, the department of education itself was a dubious venture. president reagan was seeking to abolish the entire department.
for my first months a