Thurgood Marshall

The phrase “Equal Justice Under Law” is engraved on the pediment at the front of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Until the 1950s, when Thurgood Marshall successful argued that segregation was unconstitutional, many Americans acted as though the motto read, “Separate but Equal Justice Under Law.”

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND caucus —a meeting at which local members of a political party vote for candidates running for office or decide on policy. economic inequality —the unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society. presidential nomination —the selection by a political party of a candidate to represent the party in a U.S. presidential election. The selection is often done by delegates to the party’s national convention. JimCrow laws —thesewere laws passed to enforce segregation based on race. They allowed for separate schools, public transportation, restaurants, and more based on race. lynching —a form of murder that involves hanging the victim; it can be committed by a small group or an angry mob. During the the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, thousands of African Americans were lynched without a fair trial. self-esteem —confidence in one’s own value or abilities. segregation —the separationof people in their daily lives basedon race. suffrage —suffrage is the right to vote in an election. unconstitutional —used to describe legislation or regulations that are not in keeping with the basic principles set forth in the constitution of the United States. WORDS TO UNDERSTAND desegregation —a process to end racial segregation in public areas. eloquence —to speak in a way that is fluent and persuasive.

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