SOC205 - WEEK 10 - DISCUSSION 2

SOCIETY, LAW AND GOVERNMENT

"Impact of Supreme Court Decisions"

Summarize three (3) Supreme Court decisions that you believe have had the most impact on our society. Provide a rationale for your response.

Although there are more Supreme Court decisions that had an affect on society and our viewing of a wrong that has been changed to an act of fair and right these three are the ones that I will discuss as follows:

United States v. Windsor, 2013 (5-4 decision)

This is a landmark civil rights case presented to the United States Supreme Court to protest that the U.S. federal interpretation of “marriage” and “spouse” should apply to only same sex unions but was found that it is allowable for opposite-sex unions as well and defended by Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and any active denial is unconstitutional under the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. This challenge to this interpretation allows the availability of the federal government to provide benefits to legally married same-sex couples.

Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015 (5-4 decision)

This is a landmark United States Supreme Court case in which the Court held that fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by the Due Process Clause and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution because it states we the people. As part of the people they have the right to live freely and the same in equitable conditions and treatment as opposite-sex couples and because of this same-sex marriages are legalized across all 50 states.

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, 1978 (5-4 decision)

This was a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of the United States which upheld affirmative action in allowing race to be one of several factors in college admission policy. However, the court ruled that specific racial quotas were not to be allowed, e.g., 16 seats out of 100 to be set aside for minority students. Consequently, the use of race was upheld as factor in college admissions and thereby allowed a possibility to go, expand and represent a race of minority.

Discuss the general role of the U.S. Court System in influencing society. Give your opinion on whether or not you believe that mass media influences court decisions. Provide a rationale for your response.

The general role the U.S. Court System in influencing society is paramount to fairness and hearing of all legitimate claims of violations of guarantees of the Constitution. As such any issue that affects one usually affects the many and is objectively viewed as a singular as well as a multitude when making a judgment that pertains to all and not just one.

Therefore, these acts of challenge and protest allows the guarantee of the Constitution and affective changes in life as well as behavioral changes, policy structuralized changes, treatment, etcetera. As far as mass media and coverage again acts that violate the Constitution are viewed with serious scrutiny and objectivity and not because of mass media protest but the level of fairness have to be exhibited to all and not just those with whims of preferences. All have to be within the laws of land, whether country, state, county or town.

Thank you.

Felicia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Windsor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obergefell_v._Hodges
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regents_of_the_University_of_California_v._Bakke
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/26/supreme-court-cases-history/29185891/

SOCIETY, LAW AND GOVERNMENT
WEEK 10 - DISCUSSION 2
RESPONSE TO CO-STUDENT

I agree that the cases have allowed a change in the viewing and allowing of certain acts on the surface. But still there is lingering bias, discrimination but at least there is tolerance which was previously not there. Also, I agree that as the land changes so do the people and as time proceeds so does the interpretation and modifications of policy, laws and amendments have to be done.

Thank you.

Felicia

SOCIETY, LAW AND GOVERNMENT
WEEK 10 - DISCUSSION 2
RESPONSE TO ENTIRE CLASS

Also, since the class is near conclusion I am fighting for any underdog that I can tuck under my wing and run with them. Please see my website: feliciaswritingjournal.blogspot.com/. I am in support of all my family and associates there and I am a believer in justice and God as my true love and benevolent one who sent these people to save me and for me to help all I can

Thank you for allowing me in this class ... it has been challenging.

Felicia