Chapter 7 Section 2 A Flexible Framework

The Role of the Supreme Court Overturning a Decision – Court decisions set important precedents, but can be changed by amendments. Interpreting a Principle – Justices job- interpreting the Constitution & its amendments as they apply to specific cases. Equal Protection – Means people must be treated fairly, but is doesn’t mean everyone must be treated exactly the same way.

Equality and Segregation Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896 Background: DO NOT WRITE 1896 Louisiana Homer Plessy (1/8 African American) sat in a “whites only” train car. – Violated the “Separate Car Act” which segregated blacks and whites Plessy found guilty

Equality and Segregation Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896 – states passed laws requiring segregation in public places such as hotels, schools, and trains. – Supreme Court ruled segregation didn’t violate the 14th Amendment, so long as blacks & whites had access to “separate but equal” facilities.

Do You See A Pattern?

Equality and Segregation Opposition to Segregation – NAACP and Thurgood Marshall- lawyer – Questioned the fairness – Brought cases to Court involving segregation

Equality and Segregation Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) Background: DO NOT WRITE Topeka, KS Linda Brown (African America) not permitted to attend a “whites only” school on 7 blocks African American school 21 blocks away NAACP Thurgood Marshall represented her Ruled in favor of Linda Brown

Equality and Segregation Brown v. Board of Education (1954) – Supreme Court ruled the “separate but equal” standard in Plessy v. Ferguson had no place in public education. – Plessy v. Ferguson overturned & segregation laws were declared unconstitutional – segregation now illegal.

Effects from case: Integration Desegregation Little Rock Nine

Equality and Affirmative Action Affirmative Action – Purpose is to help undo past wrongs. – Some feel it causes reverse discrimination University of California v. Bakke, 1978 – Allan Bakke rejected from medical school despite having better credentials than minority applicants. – Sued Medical School at UC Davis for reverse discrimination – Ruled in favor of Bakke but Court ruled race could be one of the factor in deciding admissions.

Women and Equality Women in the Workplace – May a company hire only males? – May they have different rules for women and men? – May they pay men and women differently? Philips v. Martin Marietta Corporation- Companies may not have “one hiring policy for women and another for men” Do not write

The Supreme Court and the Constitution All American citizens are entitled to equal protection New questions about equal protection are constantly arising – Children born of illegal immigrants