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Dred Scott v. Sandford
This case ruled that Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court. The Court also ruled that Congress lacked power to ban slavery in the U.S. territories. Thoughts that occur when this case comes up is the "3/5" rule. In this case the word "freedom", didn't truly mean free. -
13th Amendment
Abolished slavery. This Amendment had a huge impact on life for Blacks and although it did not truly free everyone, there was more room for improvement and a step in the right direction, as they strayed away from what should have never occured, and should have never been their fate. -
14th Amendment
All people born in the United States, including former enslaved people, are granted citizenship, and equal protection of the laws. This made it so that the United States was truly United, and truly the land of the free. A step in the right direction, and a major deal in the Civil Rights progress for all. -
15th Amendment
The right of citizens of to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
Equal but separate accommodations for whites and blacks imposed by Louisiana do not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. -
19th Amendment
The right to vote shall was prohibited from being denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of gender. This was a step forward in the Womans' Rights movement. More people were allowed the right to vote, which meant it was a step towards a bit more of a real democracy, where everybody gets their input. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Separate but equal educational facilities for racial minorities is inherently unequal violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Equality through education should be present in the same way that equality it day to day life should be present as well. Everyone should get the same type of resources and materials to get educated to the best of their abilities. -
Civil Rights Act of 1964
This outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and later sexual orientation and gender identity. All of the acts within civil rights in 1964 were done to push us forward and lessen discrimination so that all people could be seen as equal. All events in this time period were aiming towards equality and equity. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Got rid of racial discrimination in voting. Literacy tests and other methods of keeping blacks from voting were prohibited. All of the methods that they made to try and keep blacks from being truly human, although they said they were in paper, were the enemy of this movement. Racial discrimination has no place in voting or in anywhere, because voting needs to include the voices of all people. -
Reed v. Reed
The Court held that the law's dissimilar treatment of men and women was unconstitutional. Whichever law exists, should apply to all people regardless of gender. Women are people, and all laws that apply to a man need to apply to a woman in order to achieve full equality. -
Title IX
Education programs or activities that recieve federal financial assistance cannot discriminate or exclude people from consideration because of their gender. In the same way that men get benefits or assistance in regards to their education, women should rightfully get as well. All people deserve the same oppurtunity, and Title IX is pushing that to fruition. -
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
The Supreme Court ruled that a university's use of racial "quotas" in its admissions process was unconstitutional, but a school's use of "affirmative action" to accept more minority applicants was constitutional in some circumstances. So depending on the situation of it all, Universities should move very carefully when it comes to admissions in terms of fairness and consideration of all factors. -
Americans with Disabilities Act
Discrimination based on disabilities is prohibited. Those with disabilities should not be discriminated against. Disabilties do not make anybody less of a person, and do not make them undeserving of the same benefits and fair treatment as anyone else. It's a matter of equity and equality, and letting everyone having their rights adhered to. -
Obergefell v. Hodges
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This is the newest of the civil rights cases for now, and have had a huge impact. As said time after time, equity and equality are key cores, and this case ruling was truly a step in the right direction.
