Civil Rights Cases and Legislation

Overview of Civil Rights Cases and Legislation

Chapter Five Introduction

  • Focused on key civil rights cases and legislative actions during the Rehnquist Court era (1986-1995).

  • Transition from past constitutional interpretations under Justice Berger to more conservative interpretations under Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

Important Cases and Context

Rehnquist Court Timeline

  • Chief Justice William Rehnquist appointed in 1986.

  • There are nine justices: one chief and eight associate justices.

  • Rehnquist was more conservative and less favorable towards affirmative action and minority rights compared to his predecessor.

Important Legal Cases

  • Board of Education of Oklahoma Public Schools vs. Dowell

    • Citation: 498 U.S. 237

    • Issue: Desegregation orders were deemed temporary, meaning they could be dissolved once compliance was achieved.

    • Outcome: Local school districts must comply with integration plans within a reasonable time.

  • United States vs. Fordice

    • Citation: 505 U.S. 717

    • Context: In Mississippi, existed five all-white universities compared to three predominantly African-American ones.

    • Ruling: Plans to resolve segregation did not meet constitutional standards, thereby requiring integration of universities.

Voting Rights Act

Importance of Voting Rights

  • Voting is essential for marginalized communities to ensure representation.

  • Historical context: Discriminatory practices in the Southern states hindered minority voting rights.

Case Study: Pleasant Grove vs. United States

  • Context: Case arose from annexation practices in Alabama.

  • Outcome: The city's annexation of predominantly white areas that diluted minority voting power was ruled a violation of the 14th Amendment.

Civil Rights Act of 1965 and 1991

Overview

  • While the 1965 act focused on forbidding discriminatory voting practices, the 1991 amendment aimed to strengthen protections and address loopholes in the law.

Voting Rights Act of 1991 Specifics

  • Section 102 allows for compensatory and punitive damages in cases of unlawful discrimination under Title VII.

  • Compensatory damages: Intended to compensate victims for lost wages, etc.

  • Punitive damages: Intended to punish discriminatory practices without a cap on the amount.

  • Example: Donald Trump’s case highlights punitive damages awarded for continued defamatory statements post-verdict.

Key Sections Introduced by the 1991 Act

  • Section 105: Shifted burden of proof back to employers to prove no discrimination occurred.

  • Section 106: Prohibits using discriminatory test scores when hiring employees.

  • Section 107: Expanded the definition of discrimination in employment, focusing on race, sex, color, and national origin.

Affirmative Action

  • Definition: Policies aimed at increasing opportunities for historically marginalized groups.

  • Case: United States vs. Paradise

    • Citation: 480 U.S. 149

    • Ruling: Affirmative Action regulation requiring one-for-one promotions for African American troopers upheld.

  • Case: City of Richmond vs. Corson

    • Citation: 488 U.S. 469

    • Outcome: 30% city contracts set aside for minority businesses deemed unconstitutional due to strict scrutiny standard.

  • Case: Metro Broadcasting vs. FCC

    • Ruling in favor of affirmative action policies designed to ensure diversity in communications.

  • Case: Ward’s Cove vs. Antonio

    • Outcome altered burden of proof; employees must now provide specific evidence of discrimination rather than just statistics.

  • Case: Pricewaterhouse vs. Hopkins

    • Ruled that proving discrimination required more than statistical evidence; employers could cite other reasons for decisions, complicating the burden on plaintiffs.

Critique and Reflection

  • Discussion on Supreme Court's role and responsibility.

  • Concerns over shifting judicial interpretations impacting congressional laws.

  • Acknowledgment of implementation challenges concerning civil rights protections.