Non- fiction: Famous African Americans: Thurgood Marshall Famous African Americans Thurgood Marshall Thurgood Marshall was the first African American to serve as a Supreme Court Justice. Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President, appointed 1 Marshall in 1967. He served for 24 years, retiring in 1991. Marshall was born in 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland. After college, he wanted to go to law school at the University of Maryland. However, the university wouldn t let him because he was black. Marshall went to law school at Howard University instead. But his experience with the University of Maryland stayed with him. In 1935, he represented another young African American who was kept out of the university s law school. He claimed that denying blacks the right to go to law school at the university was unconstitutional. 2 1 appointed: chosen for a job 2 unconstitutional: not according to or agreeing with the Constitution; this makes something illegal 1
Non- fiction: Famous African Americans: Thurgood Marshall Marshall won his case. After that, he devoted his career to fighting racism. He argued many important cases before the Supreme Court. His most famous case was Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka in 1954. The case was about segregation in schools. At that time, African-American children were forced to go to separate, not very good schools. They weren t allowed to attend 1 white schools. In the Brown v. Board of Education case, Marshall argued that separate schools for African Americans and whites were unequal and unconstitutional. The Supreme Court agreed with him. With one case, he forever changed the face of education in the United States. Thurgood Marshall died in 1993, at the age of 84. 1 attend: go to; be present at 2
Questions: Famous African Americans: Thurgood Marshall Name: Date: 1. Who was Thurgood Marshall? A a president of the United States B the principal of a school for black children C the first African-American Supreme Court Justice D one of the people who drafted the Constitution 2. Thurgood Marshall was not accepted to law school at the University of Maryland. The cause of this was because Marshall was black. What was an effect of Marshall being kept out of the school? A Thurgood Marshall served as Supreme Court Justice for 24 years. B Marshall argued that separate schools for whites and blacks were unconstitutional and unequal. C Marshall represented another African American who was kept out of the school. D African-American children were forced to attend separate schools from white children. 3. With one case, [Thurgood Marshall] forever changed the face of education in the United States. What evidence from the passage supports this conclusion? A He made Howard University the best law school in the country. B He became the first African-American Supreme Court Justice C He won a Supreme Court case that ended segregation in schools. D He made sure that black schools were as good as white schools. 4. Why did Thurgood Marshall most likely dedicate his career to fighting racism? A because he wanted African Americans to be able to go to law school B because he had a lot of power as the Supreme Court Justice C because he was angry that he could not attend the school of his choice D because he cared about equality for blacks and whites 5. What is this passage mostly about? A how Thurgood Marshall chose which law school to go to B Thurgood Marshall s career as a lawyer and Supreme Court Justice C why Thurgood Marshall was chosen as the first Supreme Court Justice D whether segregated schools can provide equal quality of education 1
Questions: Famous African Americans: Thurgood Marshall 6. Read the following sentences: However, the university wouldn t let him because he was black. Marshall went to law school at Howard University instead. But his experience with the University of Maryland stayed with him. In 1935, he represented another young African American who was kept out of the university s law school. What does the phrase stayed with him most nearly mean as used in this sentence? A He did not forget the experience. B He was very angry about the experience. C He stopped caring about the experience. D He forgot about the experience. 7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below. Thurgood Marshall successfully argued that separate schools for students was unconstitutional., education in the United States was changed forever. A Before B For example C As a result D However 8. What was the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case in 1954 about? 2
Questions: Famous African Americans: Thurgood Marshall 9. Explain how Thurgood Marshall fought racism during his career. 10. Explain why Thurgood Marshall is an important figure for the African-American community and American history. 3
Teacher Guide & Answers: Famous African Americans: Thurgood Marshall Teacher Guide & Answers Passage Reading Level: Lexile 670 1. Who was Thurgood Marshall? A a president of the United States B the principal of a school for black children C the first African-American Supreme Court Justice D one of the people who drafted the Constitution 2. Thurgood Marshall was not accepted to law school at the University of Maryland. The cause of this was because Marshall was black. What was an effect of Marshall being kept out of the school? A Thurgood Marshall served as Supreme Court Justice for 24 years. B Marshall argued that separate schools for whites and blacks were unconstitutional and unequal. C Marshall represented another African American who was kept out of the school. D African-American children were forced to attend separate schools from white children. 3. With one case, [Thurgood Marshall] forever changed the face of education in the United States. What evidence from the passage supports this conclusion? A He made Howard University the best law school in the country. B He became the first African-American Supreme Court Justice C He won a Supreme Court case that ended segregation in schools. D He made sure that black schools were as good as white schools. 4. Why did Thurgood Marshall most likely dedicate his career to fighting racism? A because he wanted African Americans to be able to go to law school B because he had a lot of power as the Supreme Court Justice C because he was angry that he could not attend the school of his choice D because he cared about equality for blacks and whites 5. What is this passage mostly about? A how Thurgood Marshall chose which law school to go to B Thurgood Marshall s career as a lawyer and Supreme Court Justice C why Thurgood Marshall was chosen as the first Supreme Court Justice D whether segregated schools can provide equal quality of education 1
Teacher Guide & Answers: Famous African Americans: Thurgood Marshall 6. Read the following sentences: However, the university wouldn t let him because he was black. Marshall went to law school at Howard University instead. But his experience with the University of Maryland stayed with him. In 1935, he represented another young African American who was kept out of the university s law school. What does the phrase stayed with him most nearly mean as used in this sentence? A He did not forget the experience. B He was very angry about the experience. C He stopped caring about the experience. D He forgot about the experience. 7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below. Thurgood Marshall successfully argued that separate schools for students was unconstitutional., education in the United States was changed forever. A Before B For example C As a result D However 8. What was the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case in 1954 about? Suggested answer: The Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case in 1954 was about segregation in schools. 9. Explain how Thurgood Marshall fought racism during his career. Suggested answer: Thurgood Marshall fought racism when he: represented an African American in a case against the law school at the University of Maryland, where he argued that keeping blacks out of the law school was unconstitutional argued the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case in 1954, where he claimed that segregated schools for blacks and whites were unequal and unconstitutional 10. Explain why Thurgood Marshall is an important figure for the African-American community and American history. Suggested answer: Answers may vary and should be supported by the passage. Students should indicate that Thurgood Marshall is an important figure for the African-American community and American history because he was the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice; he fought racism throughout his career (e.g. the case against the University of Maryland); and he forever changed education in the United States when he successfully convinced the Supreme Court that segregated schools were unconstitutional. 2