It was a cool spring evening in Washington, D.C. The usual crop of reporters was stationed at the Supreme Court building, but they expected no news to come from the court that day. Their presumption proved to be sorely untrue, as the Court’s press secretary ushered the journalists into the courtroom to hear one of the most significant rulings in the history of the Supreme Court. After only five months in office, Chief Justice Earl Warren was able to give his court’s unanimous decision in the famous Brown v. Board of Education suit: to end segregation in the U.S. public school system (Compston 82). Warren had made it the goal of his career to win this victory for the civil rights movement. His dedication to the integration of schools was motivated not only by his belief in its constitutionality, but also deep moral and ethical reasons. This successful campaign for justice in this case was followed by a lengthy and influential tenure as the Chief Justice. Earl Warren established himself as a legendary figure through his profound sense of justice and integrity, an open-mindedness uncharacteristic of his time period, and a legal career which impacts judicial decisions even today.
Fully embracing the title of “Justice,” Earl Warren dedicated his life to the fulfillment of justice and integrity. He worked diligently to protect individual rights, but did not hesitate to remind policy makers that even they were subject to the law. This commitment to justice in every aspect of American life defined Earl Warren as a legendary figure. Warren worked hard to secure justice for all, especially the destitute and underprivileged. Biographer Christine Compston described this dedication, writing “He [Warren] was…respected and even admired by people...
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...ligently to ensure justice for all, while reminding leaders that even they were subject to the Constitution. He defeated discriminatory norms in the U.S. government without any regard for the vicious public opinion against him. Finally, Warren’s illustrious career served as a template for Supreme Court Justices well after his retirement. It seemed like a usual spring evening in Washington D.C. when Chief Justice Earl Warren stood to present his court’s verdict on Brown v. Board of Education. His words and their effect, however, are legendary.
Works Cited
Compston, Christine L. Earl Warren: Justice for All. New York City: Oxford UP, 2001. Print. Oxford Portraits.
Finkelman, Paul. "Warren, Earl." American National Biography Online. Oxford UP, Feb. 2000. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Smentkowski, Brian P. "Earl Warren." Britannica School. Britannica, 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.