The textbook will relay that Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was, without a doubt, the most important civil rights case decided in the twentieth century. It immediately evoked an uproar that shook the nation. Although it did not create immediate legal change, Brown served as a catalyst for a civil rights movement across the U.S., and especially the South.
Take some time (26 minutes) to watch this video clip (Links to an external site.)
featuring Supreme Court Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Sandra Day OConnor and Anthony M. Kennedy discuss with high school students this landmark case that ended racial segregation in schools. They explore the background of the case, the role of Thurgood Marshall, how Brown v. Board of Education was decided, and the events following the unanimous ruling that said that separate education facilities are inherently unequal.
The items below are prompts for your reflection. These are people, quotes, events, and terms that may help you to develop your thoughts. None have to be used.
Identify/define at least 3 of the following and tell the role of each in the story:
Thurgood Marshall
separate but equal
rule of law
Sweatt v. Painter
U.S. Constitution
Fourteenth Amendment
President Eisenhower
Supreme Court
Governor Faubus
Ernest Green
racial segregation
Little Rock Central High School
According to Justice Kennedy, what is the primary reason separate but equal is wrong?
In your opinion, is separate always unequal, always wrong? Explain.
JUSTICE STEPHEN G. BREYER: . . . But my question is why, if this is all so clear to us, which I think it is fairly clear, why did it take all that time before the court did anything? MALE STUDENT: I believe that it took 50, 60 years for for this case to be pushed through because of Plessy Versus Ferguson. Explain why Plessy v. Ferguson would be a concern for the Supreme Court?
Once the Supreme Court makes a ruling, it has the force of law. Elaborate on the two ways Supreme Court decisions can be changed.
List at least three reasons the executive branch got involved.
How does the Supreme Court rely on the executive branch?
How does the executive branch rely on the Supreme Court?
Name at least two ways the Supreme Court is limited in what it can do.
In a constitutional democracy, what is the responsibility of the government?
Resources:
Video link (Links to an external site.)This is the video link for a Conversation on the Constitution: Brown v. Board of Education (1954).
Brown v. Board of Education Timeline (Links to an external site.)
https://americanhistory.si.edu/brown/resources/timeline.html
