The Principle of Separation Between Church and State
The US First Amendment prohibits Congress from passing laws that support an establishment of a specific religion, which is where the idea of a separation between church and state originated. (Van and Kurt 58). The federal government is required to uphold a position of religious neutrality. The sixth article of the US constitution also sets agreements and laws that prohibit religious testing as a requirement for employment in any legislative capacity. Accordingly, the US Supreme Court has appropriately addressed the matter of separation. Several case laws depict that the courts have played a significant role in addressing the issue. Based on the case of Stone v. Graham, 449 U.S 39 (1980), the court found that posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools unconstitutional.
Prohibition of Religious Instruction in Public Schools
According to the case of McCollum v. Board of Education Dist. 71, 333 U.S. 203 (1948), the court ruled out that it was unconstitutional for public schools to establish religious instruction clause since it violates the US First Amendment clause (Van and Kurt 89). Also, the case of Leo v. Weisman, 112 S. Ct. 2649 (1992) shows the Supreme Court adherence to the Amendment. The court found out it is against the constitution for inclusion of clergy to offer prayers at public school ceremonies.
The Civil Rights Movement: Milestones and Actors
1. Describe the various milestone events as well as significant actors in civil rights movement. How far have we come?
Between 1955 and 1957, Montgomery bus boycott occurred where Rosa Parks ignited the bus boycott as organized by Martin Luther (Marsh 26). In 1961, the freedom riders opposed segregation as both blacks and whites protested bus station segregation in South. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) led by king fought local laws that supported segregation through rioting.
In August 1965, the voting rights act was approved thus the significant growth of black voter’s registration (Marsh 27). Black opponents killed Malcolm x in February 1965. Similarly, Martin Luther was assassinated in 1968, thus igniting the growth of the civil rights movement.
Some of the principal actors of the movement include Martin Luther who rose to prominence in the campaign and Malcolm X who was a black leader and spokesman of the Islam religion and epitomized the philosophy of the black power (Marsh 25). Other actors include Ralph Abernathy who served as the leader of the movement and James Chaney, an African-American Volunteer in the voter registration during freedom summer.
Works Cited
Marsh, Carole. The Fight for Equality: The U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Peachtree City, Ga: Carole Marsh/Gallopade International, 2004. Print.
Van, Alstyne W. W, and Kurt T. Lash. The American First Amendment in the Twenty-First Century: Cases and Materials. , 2014. Print.
