The Principles of Civil Rights
The term "civil rights" refers to the independence from discrimination based on racial, ethnic, gender, or other protected characteristics. During the cold war, there was a lot of prejudice, particularly toward persons of color. The principles that governed American society between 1940 and 1970 have changed over time. Since the end of the Cold War until the present, the constitutional provisions governing civil rights have experienced numerous revisions. This essay aims to examine the freedoms and civil rights that the Supreme Court upheld in a number of cases between 1940 and 1970 in the context of American culture. Milliken v Bradley1974
Milliken v Bradley1974
This was a Supreme Court case in 1974 that was concerned with desegregated transport for public school children along district line in the 53 district in the metropolitan of Detroit. The ruling of the court held that the education system could only take the responsibility to desegregate along district lines if it could show that existing lines were based on racist goals by the districts. This decision by the court requires the few white students to be distributed across the district schools which were mostly attended by black kids. It is evident that during this time, social discrimination was widespread based on race. The court's decision provided a remedy against the biased treatment of the black students by provisions of the constitution regarding equality.
Roe v. Wade1973
This case was concerned with laws relating to the restriction of abortions. Every state of the US had abortion laws at a time when abortion was considered a typical law offense. This particular case caused conflict between those for and against abortion. The court's decision held that the law of Texas that criminalized facilitation of abortions violated a woman's constitutional right to due process. While the state's role in protecting life overpowers the citizen's choices in regards to abortion, it is imperative to consider their rights and freedoms. The topic of abortion has been controversial for many decades, with different point's view however during that time all states laws viewed abortion as a crime. The court ruling enforced the constitutional rights of women regarding abortion.
Perez v Sharp 1948
This case was decided by the Supreme Court in 1948 about interracial marriages and the provision of the fourteenth amendment of the constitution. Davis and Perez were denied a marriage license which according to the laws of California would be a violation of the California Civil Code. The church, however, was willing to officiate their marriage. The ruling in this particular case held that the California laws were in violation of the constitutional rights. The view on interracial marriages in the American society at the time has changed over time since the 1040-1970 periods.
University of California v Bakke1978
The ruling, in this case, was passed in 1978 about race being account the many factors to be taken into account during college admissions. The court's decision overruled the University of California's admission policy on the 16 out of 100 slots for minority students. The primary civil rights concern that was dominant in the period from 1940 to 1970 related to racial discrimination among social institutions. This case involved a student Bakke who had been denied admission to the UC Davis Medical School due to his age. At this time age was considered an essential aspect of schooling which is not the case today. The court banned the use of race as a determinant factor in school admissions thereby steering the fight against discrimination of any kind.
Works Cited
Milliken v. Bradley, 418 U.S. 717, 94 S. Ct. 3112, 41 L. Ed. 2d 1069 (1974).
Perez v. Sharp, 32 Cal. 2d 711, 198 P.2d 17, 198 P. 2 (1948).
Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, 93 S. Ct. 705, 35 L. Ed. 2d 147 (1973).
University of California Regents v. Bakke, 438 U.S. 265, 98 S. Ct. 2733, 57 L. Ed. 2d 750 (1978).
