The book explores the Supreme Court's 1997 rulings against a constitutional right to physician-assisted suicide, delving into the tension between individual liberty and the emotional weight of human suffering. It examines the implications of these decisions on personal autonomy and societal values, highlighting the complex ethical landscape surrounding end-of-life choices. Through this analysis, it engages with the broader conversation about the role of government in personal matters of life and death.
Melvin Urofsky explores affirmative action in relation to sex, gender, and education and shows that nearly every public university in the country has at one time or another instituted some form of affirmative action plan-some successful, others not. Urofsky traces the evolution of affirmative action through labor and the struggle for racial equality, writing of World War I and the exodus that began when some six million African Americans moved northward between 1910 and 1960, one of the greatest internal migrations in the country's history. He describes how Harry Truman, after becoming president in 1945, fought for Roosevelt's Fair Employment Practice Act and, surprising everyone, appointed a distinguished panel to serve as the President's Commission on Civil Rights, as well as appointing the first Black judge on a federal appeals court in 1948 and, by executive order later that year, ordering full racial integration in the armed forces. In this important, ambitious, far-reaching book, Urofsky writes about the affirmative action cases decided by the Supreme Court: cases that either upheld or struck down particular plans that affected both governmental and private entities. We come to fully understand the societal impact of affirmative action: how and why it has helped, and inflamed, people of all walks of life; how it has evolved; and how, and why, it is still needed. -- Publisher
Melvin Urofsky explores affirmative action in relation to sex, gender, and education and shows that nearly every public university in the country has at one time or another instituted some form of affirmative action plan-some successful, others not. Urofsky traces the evolution of affirmative action through labor and the struggle for racial equality, writing of World War I and the exodus that began when some six million African Americans moved northward between 1910 and 1960, one of the greatest internal migrations in the country's history. He describes how Harry Truman, after becoming president in 1945, fought for Roosevelt's Fair Employment Practice Act and, surprising everyone, appointed a distinguished panel to serve as the President's Commission on Civil Rights, as well as appointing the first Black judge on a federal appeals court in 1948 and, by executive order later that year, ordering full racial integration in the armed forces. In this important, ambitious, far-reaching book, Urofsky writes about the affirmative action cases decided by the Supreme Court: cases that either upheld or struck down particular plans that affected both governmental and private entities. We come to fully understand the societal impact of affirmative action: how and why it has helped, and inflamed, people of all walks of life; how it has evolved; and how, and why, it is still needed. -- Publisher
Public reactions to Supreme Court decisions have played a significant role in shaping the social and political landscape of the United States. While many rulings are accepted without dissent, certain decisions provoke strong feelings of anger and defiance among citizens. These debates not only reflect the nation's values and conflicts but also influence its evolution over time, highlighting the dynamic relationship between the judiciary and public sentiment.
Focusing on the individuals behind pivotal U.S. Supreme Court cases, this collection features 100 biographical profiles that explore the social and political contexts of landmark decisions. Edited by constitutional historian Melvin I. Urofsky, each profile provides insight into the lives of those involved, from heroes to controversial figures. Through compelling narratives, the book highlights how personal stories, like that of Linda Brown in Brown v. Board of Education, shaped constitutional history and the principle of equal protection under the law.
Focusing on the evolution of religious freedom, this volume explores its origins, historical development, and ongoing debates. It serves as a comprehensive resource, offering insights into the complexities and controversies that shape the practice of religion today.
