When discussing the great heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, or black history in general, Thurgood Marshall is one of the most iconic and key personnel. While the movement towards racial equality is not defined by one person’s actions, the ending technically can. A man of a powerful stature and poise, he was instrumental in ending the legal segregation of the United States. In doing so, it propelled Marshall to become the first African American to be elected a justice of the Supreme Court.
Thurgood Marshall was born on July 2, 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland. His mother was a teacher, and his father was a steward. His father was the origination of Marshall’s later life in law. Every day after work, his father would listen to the cases at the local courthouse. He would bring home all the details and discuss it with the children. It was this discussion (arguments if one would ask Thurgood) that stemmed his attention to the law. Growing
His family life was not different than anyone else’s. His childhood was no different than most blacks at the time. It was what he did with his life that will forever define him and enshrine him in history. One man can make a difference. The end results come from someone’s determination, heart, and willpower; all of which Thurgood had. While being one of the least talked about people in history, he is arguably the most important in the movement towards racial equality. When comparing him to other heroes of the American Civil Rights Movement and Black history in general, he ranks at the top. Malcom X gets movies made about him. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday gets celebrated as a holiday. What about Thurgood Marshall? Every day people live in the legacy of Marshall’s behavior and choices (Thurgood Marshall Biography). Our life is what it is due to the legacy of Justice
In America’s time there have been many great men who have spent their lives creating this great country. Men such as George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson fit these roles. They are deemed America’s “founding fathers” and laid the support for the most powerful country in history. However, one more man deserves his name to be etched into this list. His name was John Marshall, who decided case after case during his role as Chief Justice that has left an everlasting mark on today’s judiciary, and even society itself. Through Cases such as Marbury v. Madison (1803) and McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) he established the Judicial Branch as an independent power. One case in particular, named Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), displayed his intuitive ability to maintain a balance of power, suppress rising sectionalism, and unite the states under the Federal Government.
The purpose of this paper is to discuss how Chief Justice John Marshall affected the American Judicial System. The reader will therefore first find a brief biography of John Marshall. Then the paper will explain in detail the origins of the Judicial Power to subsequently...
Throughout the course of American history, there have been many historical figures who have been responsible for, or were a part of the gradual change of our nation. In the early to mid 1900's, the United States was racially segregated, and African Americans were looked at as second class citizens. In the mid-1900's, a time period which is now known as the Civil Rights Movement, there were a number of different people who helped lead the charge to desegregate the United States. Some of the historical figures, who's names are synonymous with the Civil Rights Movement, include political activist Martin Luther King, NAACP officer Medgar Evers, Baptist minister Malcolm X, and normal citizen Rosa Parks. All of these people were a very large part of the Civil Rights Movement and attempted to recognize African Americans as equals to Whites.
African-Americans have significantly contributed to the criminal justice field in the United States through presenting law cases in the Supreme Court and championing for civil rights. One of the African-American names mentioned among those that have had a significant contribution to this field is Thurgood “Thoroughgood” Marshall, who became the first African-American justice to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the pioneer of civil rights. With regard to Thurgood Marshall, the purpose of this paper is to explore his contributions to civil rights in the field of criminal justice. To do so, this paper will examine Marshall’s childhood and family background, education, his
Emmett Till’s death inspired people to try to end racism so African-Americans could be granted their rights and protection. Racism, discrimination, and prejudice had been going on for too long, and it was time to stop it. This inspired many people to hold bus boycotts and protests (PBS). A new era was beginning where racism was considered unjust and hurtful, and people would have to face consequences for their actions. Emmett Till was the beginning of this change. He should be considered a hero because without him who knows what our country would be like. He helped African-Americans to be seen as equal, and not an inferior race. His death was a tragedy, but something good came out of it which was freedom. “ I look to a day when people will not be judge by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” (BrainyQuote).
African Americans were among the worst treated races in the US; however, this did not stop them from fighting for the rights that so many had died for. It seemed as if black people would never be treated respectfully, but just like in comic books, there is always a hero that will fight for his people. This hero soon came to the scene and he was fierce enough to change the lives of many people. Most importantly, he broke the color barrier and created a path that would allow others to follow. However, something that was inevitable was the threats and racial remarks they had to face.
Thurgood Marshall overcame discrimination by his dreams of going into the law field despite the racism surrounding him at that time. “Thurgood Marshall, the great-grandson of a slave, grew up in the South and experienced racism and discrimination firsthand” (Hitzeroth and Leon 9). Since he was raised in the South, a more racist part of the country, he was already experiencing racism at a young age. He could not shop in the same store, sit in the same section of the bus, or attend the same schools as white children and white people in general (Hitzeroth and Leon 9-10). Also, he was a cum laude honors student, but he was denied admission to the University Of Maryland Law School because of the color of his skin (Hitzeroth and Leon 10). Despite all of these events, he still chose to pursue a career in law. Part of this could be because his father taught him to respect the U.S. Constitution and the authority of law (Thurgood Marshall Biography). Also, “author John Egerton wrote in his book Speak Now Against the Day, ‘In courtrooms, black lawyers were exceedingly...
Thurgood Marshall was known in the NAACP’s Legal Defense as “Mr. Civil Rights,” because he fought many battles over segregation in the courts. Thurgood Marshall was surrounded by a team of brilliant lawyers, one in particular, Oliver Hill, from Virginia. Mr. Hill won many civil rights suits dealing with discrimination in education and wages. The civil rights movement included different groups with many priorities, all working toward the larger goal of social equality. The most highly educational law suit is Brown v. Board of Education. Oliver Brown sued the Topeka, Kansas, Board of Education to simply allow his own 8 year old daughter Linda attend a nearby school for whites only. Imagine every day walking by a school that have your grade level, riding a bus for miles to attend a school where only students of color must attend. On May 17, 1954, in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, and this is when the Supreme Court issued its historic ruling. It was Thurgood Marshall that spoke to reporters in New York City in 1955, after the Supreme Court ordered the desegregation of public schools. Marshall later became the first African American Supreme Court
Malcolm Little was a very powerful man. Civil Rights Activist and minister, Malcolm was very courageous. This man stood up for what he believed in and he got shot for it. He was also very brave, Malcolm grew up when blacks didn’t have the equal rights that they have today. No one ever thought blacks would get to live a normal life. Blacks thought they were going to keep being beaten and abused by people who didn't care about them. People thought it was going to be like this forever. I personally think that the people in the Civil Rights Movement were powerful people that had a lot of faith. I would just like to say thanks to all those people who brought justice to their life because who knows where I would have been today.
He was born in Chicago , Illinois ( July 25th ,1941 - August 28th , 1955)Emmett Till was 14 years old.He was a black american male.Witnesses had reported that he was whistling , touching her wrist or hand , he also told her “ Bye Baby” ,when she was leaving he was trying to flirt with her when she was leaving the store her name was “ Carolyn Bryant “ on ( August 24th ). During the time of 1950’s his body was found in a river that Bryant and Milam dumped him into . Bryant and Milam was found guilty of killing Emmett Till , he was beating to death on ( August 31st ,1955.Bryant and Milam had made their way to Mr.Wright’s home and had Emmett at gunpoint. Emmett Till helped start the civil rights movement in the United States of America.They had killed him with one shot to the head !! They also tied him up to a fan and also with some barbed wires , before they had dumped him in the river . Emmett’s parents was hardworking of the Southside of Chicago. He didn’t tell his uncle about the incident that had happened ,because he really didn’t want his uncle to get worried or anything. The ring that Emmett Till was wearing when he got killed wasn’t his ring it was his father’s ring . Emmett's mother had convinced him that some whites wouldn’t like his behavior ( even though Emmett joked a lot , about a lot of things . ) Emmett Till parents’ was separated in 1942.
During the years the Supreme Court has gone through some changes of its’ own. While Chief Justice Earl Warren was there the first African-American Justice was named to the court: Thurgood Marshall. Chief Justice Warren’s leadership marked a force in social issues. Along the lines of desegregation, election reform and the rights of defendants.
The Civil Rights Movement is one of the most important events of the history of the United States. Although many people contributed to this movement, Martin Luther King, Jr., is widely regarded as the leader of the movement for racial equality. Growing up in the Deep South, King saw the injustices of segregation first hand. King’s studies of Mahatma Ghandi teachings influenced his views on effective ways of protesting and achieving equality. Martin Luther King’s view on nonviolence and equality and his enormous effect on the citizens of America makes him the most influential person of the twentieth century.
Newmyer, R. Kent. John Marshall and the Heroic Age of the Supreme Court. Baton Rouge:
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were two of the most important people. in black history. With their struggle to make America view black. people as equals, their speeches were inspirational and always made. their message clear and clear.
...le. He worked through the struggles and difficulties to make sure that his goals were accomplished. The actions he took allowed African Americans to gather hope and lead a change in our world.