Lasting Change: Courting The Courts By Faith - People For the American Way

“Lasting Change: Courting The Courts By Faith” is a resource that focuses on the federal courts as we remain mindful of the suppressive attacks taking place against our civil rights. It connects the dots of our democracy, highlighting that those elected to represent your state in the U.S. Senate can influence a presidential nomination from their state for a lifetime appointment on the federal courts and vote on the confirmation of all those nominated to render decisions that will impact generations to come.

Use this document to help facilitate your advocacy for fair courts through strategic communication, action, and prayer. The African American Ministers Leadership Council (AAMLC) believes education about the importance of the courts will complement the civic engagement work that members of the network do each year from January to December.

Luke 12:11-12 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.

Download the Last Change manual

Courts Matter

Supreme Court decisions that had life time impact on African American social, political, and economic life.

1857 – Dred Scott v. Sanford: Citizenship

1896 – Plessy v. Ferguson: Separate but equal

1932 – Powell v. Alabama: Reversed the convictions of nine young black men for allegedly raping two white women on a freight train near Scottsboro, Alabama

1954 – Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KS: Separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional

1971 – Griggs v. Duke Power: Employment discrimination and the adverse impact theory

1973 – Roe v. Wade: Restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional

1978 – Regents of the University of California v. Bakke: Upheld affirmative action, allowing race to be one of several factors in college admission policy

1987 – Johnson v. Transportation Agency: Gender-based discrimination

1989 – City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co: Minority set-aside program, which gave preference to minority business enterprises (MBE) in the awarding of municipal contracts, was unconstitutional

2013 – Shelby County v. Holder: Voting Rights Act of 1965

2015 – Obergefell v. Hodges: Recognition of same-sex marriage

2016 – Fisher v. University of Texas (Fisher II): Affirmative Action