Thurgood Marshall Makes a Difference
Who was Thurgood Marshall? Find out how his legal career in civil rights shaped the lives of people in the United States.
1. Do you believe that one person can make a difference? Study the life and deeds of Thurgood Marshall to learn how this man changed the lives of African Americans and all people who live in the United States. Born in July of 1908, Thouroughgood Marshall was named after his grandfather, a freed slave. In second grade, he grew tired of writing such a long first name, so he shortened it to Thurgood. He came from a long line of people who had stood up for what they believed was right. Research the stories about Marshall's grandmother Annie Marshall, his grandfather Isaiah Williams, and his dad, William Marshall.
2. As a punishment in school, Thurgood was sent to the school basement to memorize the United States Constitution. He was confused because some of the ideas in the Constitution were not true in his life. His father said the Constitution was about the way things should be, not the way things were. What do you think---does the Constitution stand for what is, or what should be? Maybe this is where the seed of becoming a lawyer began to grow in Thurgood.
3. Marshall had a tough time as an attorney in the beginning of his practice because African Americans believed that they had a better chance of winning cases if their lawyers were white. So only low-income people used African American lawyers. Thurgood's cases, however, earned him recognition and ultimately a job with the NAACP (The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). The NAACP was working hard fighting racial discrimination and segregation. Research some of the cases that Marshall and the NAACP fought concerning voting and housing rights, and especially those connected with people named Lyons, Lloyd Gaines, and Donald Gaines Murray.
4. Thurgood Marshall's most important case was argued in front of the United States Supreme Court during 1952 to 1954. It was a consolidation of five separate lawsuits challenging racial segregation in the public schools. The case was called Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Marshall argued that in this case "separate was not equal." By separating African American students from others, the notion of equal education became impossible because African American school children were treated less well than other students.
5. In 1965, Thurgood Marshall was appointed as the U.S. Solicitor General and 2 years later, he was sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice.
6. Create a diorama to illustrate Thurgood Marshall's journey to become the first African American to serve on the highest court in the country, just 13 years after he had argued before it for the rights of African American school children. Cut off the top and one long side of a recycled box with Crayola® Scissors. Save the cut pieces for later use.
7. With Crayola Colored Pencils and Crayola Multicultural Markers, illustrate Marshall's argument before the Supreme Court (or any other scene from his life that you choose) on the bottom and sides of the box.
8. With the extra box pieces or recycled file folders, draw the Supreme Court Justices as they listen to Marshall. Cut out pieces as needed. With Crayola School Glue, attach judges to the box in front of Marshall. Then illustrate Marshall as a Supreme Court Justice. Cut the figure out and attach him to the foreground of the box to make it look like he is remembering his role in Brown v. Board of Education.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
- Research the five lawsuits in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Learn about the courage of students who spoke out for what was right. Think about what they went through because of their actions. Discuss how these students' lives changed. Question to ponder: Are students today willing to make sacrifices for what is right?
- Conduct a mock trial/hearing using the issues in Brown v. Board of Education. Present the arguments of Marshall and his opposing lawyer, John W. Davis, to a panel of student justices.
- Find information about all three branches of the United States government. What are the responsibilities of each? How do these branches interact?
- Start a list of other individuals who have made a difference for others. At the end of the school year, celebrate the power of one individual to leave the world a better place.
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