Thurgood Marshall grew up a minority, but valiantly gained a voice as he fought for the rights of not only himself, but other minorities as well who lacked a proper voice and equal rights enjoyed by white citizens of the United States. He was born into a century that would be monumental for African Americans and minorities alike. Although the century began with heavy segregation, discrimination, and violence against the African American community, its conclusion would produce an active voice for individuals of that community as well as other minorities. Marshall, much like his African American counterparts, dealt with the same threats posed against others (Ball 18). He faced racism and discrimination, and threats of violence, but bravely
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He worked long hours and made long commutes throughout the country traveling under the direction of the NAACP to address all appropriate cases, even risking travel in the deep South (Ball 41-140). Marshall was very active in the NAACP dealing with cases involving equal opportunity of education, equal opportunity in the military and protection of African American citizens in the military, and integration (Ball 41-140). The African American community referred to Marshall as ‘Mr. Civil Rights,’ and their litigator (Ball 69-72). The community trusted him. He knew how to apply the law, and was able to use strategy to change the law—equal opportunity became his primary strategy. It took a few decades to reach the full affect of this concept, but he used its connotation to change the rules of …show more content…
Most of the others serving on the court were from the upper middle class ruling on issues that they themselves had never experienced. Marshall grew up with strong family ties. He had also lived in a less fortunate area of Baltimore. He had seen the effects of what less than ideal circumstances had of families, and the role of extended families in the homes of the less fortunate, so when presented on a case dealing with a question of extended family, he took the side of the less fortunate, as he often did because he could connect to their struggles To conclude, Marshall’s passion on the court to bring minorities and other less fortunate people their constitutional rights was largely successful because of his ability to relate to the struggles that each group dealt with, and largely because of his excellent ability to apply the law and interpret in ways that protected all citizens. Marshall also had a few ideological allies on the court that helped bring about liberal change. His fight for the constitutional rights of all citizen was highly admirable, and the effects of his fight are still present
He worked long hours and made long commutes throughout the country traveling under the direction of the NAACP to address all appropriate cases, even risking travel in the deep South (Ball 41-140). Marshall was very active in the NAACP dealing with cases involving equal opportunity of education, equal opportunity in the military and protection of African American citizens in the military, and integration (Ball 41-140). The African American community referred to Marshall as ‘Mr. Civil Rights,’ and their litigator (Ball 69-72). The community trusted him. He knew how to apply the law, and was able to use strategy to change the law—equal opportunity became his primary strategy. It took a few decades to reach the full affect of this concept, but he used its connotation to change the rules of …show more content…
Most of the others serving on the court were from the upper middle class ruling on issues that they themselves had never experienced. Marshall grew up with strong family ties. He had also lived in a less fortunate area of Baltimore. He had seen the effects of what less than ideal circumstances had of families, and the role of extended families in the homes of the less fortunate, so when presented on a case dealing with a question of extended family, he took the side of the less fortunate, as he often did because he could connect to their struggles To conclude, Marshall’s passion on the court to bring minorities and other less fortunate people their constitutional rights was largely successful because of his ability to relate to the struggles that each group dealt with, and largely because of his excellent ability to apply the law and interpret in ways that protected all citizens. Marshall also had a few ideological allies on the court that helped bring about liberal change. His fight for the constitutional rights of all citizen was highly admirable, and the effects of his fight are still present