Judicial activism is rarely needed, but when it is employed, it is only in the direst o circumstances. It is the broad interpretation of the constitution of the United States by the Supreme Court. Some argue that this should not be done, but if it had not been, slavery would still exist in America. It is obvious that in some cases, it is necessary to expand civil rights beyond what the constitution explicitly states. This was the case in Brown v. Board o Education. 9 black students were allowed into a white school, previously segregated. This was the landmark case in the battle for black civil rights. The judicial activism displayed by the Supreme Court led to an end to segregation, social equality for blacks and allowed them t reach respected positions in American society.
A major effect of the Supreme Courts’ decision was the desegregation of schools everywhere. Integration became federal law, and schools could no longer bar applicants base on race alone. By enforcing this law, the Court allowed blacks to receive the same education as whites and effectively removing their status as second-class citizens. They were one step close to being fully accepted by the white majority. The integration of children’s schools was a controversial step, and many southerners opposed it with extreme prejudice.
There were riots to oppose this move, but eventually, the chaos was subdued and after the order was restored schools were fully integrated. Black children were now on equal footing with white children and could no longer be called less intelligent, as they would receive the same education. Also, this case led to the 15th amendment, giving blacks the right to vote. This was an important event effectively making them complete citizens, legally equal to white men in every way.
They could now vote for the president, a key part of the representative democracy present in the Unite States. They became able to directly affect the law, by voting. Social equality was a major gain for the blacks. As a result of this case, and others after it, they became increasingly accepted in a previously white-dominated society. With any form o discrimination outlawed and punishable by law, there was no way they could be kept from their rightful position as equals in every respect.
Lawsuits against discriminators became increasingly common, and the mindset of the common American was one of tolerance and compassion for their fellow man. To help underprivileged blacks, affirmative action was put into place, ensuring that those coming from poor backgrounds would not be left behind, simply because of a lack o money. This helped educate people who otherwise would not be able to afford it, showing onc again that everyone deserves equal education, regardless of class, status, or race. Blacks were also becoming accepted in the mainstream, as political figures, and as entertainers.
The first black Supreme Court justice was Thurgood Marshall, sworn in in 1967. H was the first true sign that blacks could have power in the United States government. He wa retired in 1991, serving 24 years on the bench. He died two years later, but will always b remembered as a great civil rights leader and hero to activists everywhere. It was he who won the Brown v. Board of Education case, effectively destroying the legal basis for segregation I America and making way for all the advances stated above. He also won some of the cases that paved the way for the landmark Brown case.
One of these was Sweatt v. Painter, a case where a black man was denied entrance into a graduate school simply because of his race. He als investigated armed forces stationed in South Korea and Japan, noting that the general practic was one of ; rigid segregation.; Also, black entertainers became increasingly common. Comedians and actors were appearing more and more, and they were welcomed with open arms. In 1963, the first Oscar awarded to a black man was given to Sidney Poitier, for his hi-performance in the film; Lillies of the Field.; Bill Cosby was the first black actor to win a Emmy award. He won it in 1966 for best actor on the show ;I Spy.; These.
