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Tracing the Transformation of Civil Rights in Supreme Court Decisions, From Discrimination to DEI

Writer's picture: Freedom WriterFreedom Writer

Updated: Feb 5

Malcolm X and Donald Trump side by side, representing contrasting political and social ideologies.
The Evolution of the Civil Rights Movement

The evolution of civil rights in the United States has long been an opportunity for humans to co-create societies that are humane, equitable, and innovative.


At the heart of this journey lies the United States Supreme Court, whose decisions have historically shaped social views on discrimination and equality.




The Early Years Foundations of Discrimination


The challenges to civil rights date back to the post-Civil War era, specifically with the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments:


  • The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude.


  • The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and guaranteed equal protection under the laws.


  • The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude (women were not yet protected from these forms of discrimination).


Unfortunately, the Supreme Court often interpreted these amendments in a way that upheld existing biases.

Historic image of the ratification of the 15th Amendment, which was passed in 1870 to grant voting rights regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Official Document: The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Securing Voting Rights for All Citizens, (No Copyright infringement intended)


In Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), for example, the Court endorsed racial segregation through the “separate but equal” doctrine. This ruling not only legitimized many forms of discrimination but also reinforced the idea of racial superiority, leading to decades of racial tension and injustice! This case set a precedent that impacted millions.

Historical image representing the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case, which upheld racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine in 1896.
Plessy v. Ferguson: The 1896 Supreme Court Decision that Upheld Racial Segregation Under the Doctrine of 'Separate but Equal.' (No copyright infringement intended).

The Turning Tide and the Challenge of Segregation

Historic image representing the end of racial segregation in U.S. schools, following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954.
Brown v. Board of Education (1954): The Landmark Supreme Court Ruling that Ended Racial Segregation in Public Schools (No copyright infringement intended).

The mid-20th century saw a rise in civil rights activism that challenged segregation laws. The landmark case Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was pivotal in this struggle. By overturning Plessy, the Court declared that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” This ruling was not just symbolic; it officially mandated the desegregation of public schools across the nation. Following this decision, approximately 2.5 million African American children attended desegregated schools by the late 1960s.


Expanding Rights Beyond Race


In Loving v. Virginia (1967), the Court struck down laws that prohibited interracial marriage, affirming that the right to marry is fundamental. This decision challenged longstanding biases and opened doors for future battles against discriminatory laws in personal relationships.

After Loving v. Virginia, the percentage of interracial marriages in the U.S. climbed from just 0.4% in 1970 to a remarkable 17% by 2015, which demonstrates the lasting impact of this ruling on societal norms and attitudes!


The Modern Era: LGTBQ+ Rights and Protections


A significant transformation occurred during the rise of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.


The Supreme Court's decision in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) was a turning point. It ruled that laws criminalizing consensual same-sex activities violated the right to privacy. This ruling dismantled legal barriers for LGBTQ+ individuals.


It set the foundation for the historic Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) case, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. By 2020, 70% of Americans supported same-sex marriage, indicating a dramatic shift in public opinion.


Intersectionality and Current Challenges

Image symbolizing the breakthrough in protecting LGBTQ+ workers, following the Bostock v. Clayton County Supreme Court decision in 2020, which extended workplace discrimination protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

In recent years, the Supreme Court has started to acknowledge the complex nature of discrimination. The Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) ruling exemplified this evolution, stating that firing an employee for being gay or transgender constituted discrimination based on sex under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This decision marked a significant step in recognizing the interconnectedness of various civil rights issues.

Image representing the Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), which affirmed that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Bostock v. Clayton County 2020 Supreme Court Decision Expanding Workplace Protections to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
Today, over 1 million LGBTQ+ individuals in the workforce benefit directly from this decision, underscoring its real-world impact on equality.

The Ongoing Fight for Human Rights


Despite some notable progress, Institutional discrimination still exists. Supreme Court rulings indeed shape societal views and set legal standards.



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