Legal Cases Paper
Jonathan Collier
Liberty University
Yout 350-B01
Dr. Steve Vandegriff
2/3/2019
Introduction.
One of the most prominent court cases in recent history was Brown v. Board of Education
in 1954. The case overturned a previous ruling that allowed for segregated educational facilities.
In a time in our countries history where segregation was commonplace, Brown v. Board of
Education ruled that segregated school systems were not equal, and mandated the integration of
public school systems.
Summary
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 was initially argued on December
9, 1952. It was argued once more on December 8, 1953, and was finally decided on May 17,
1954. “Arguably the most well-known ruling of the 20th century, Brown overturned Plessy v.
Ferguson and established that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”1 Browns
case was a culmination of other cases from different states that shared a common argument. That
argument was that African American minors “had been denied admission to schools attended by
white children under laws requiring or permitting segregation according to race. This segregation
was alleged to deprive the plaintiffs of the equal protection of the laws under the Fourteenth
Amendment.”2 At the Supreme Court level, a unanimous ruling was issued that separate but
equal school systems violated the 14th amendment to the Constitution. The court surmised that
1 “10 Important Supreme Court Cases about Education - National Constitution Center,” National
Constitution Center – Constitutioncenter.Org, accessed February 5, 2019,
https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/10-important-supreme-court-cases-about-education.
2 “Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954),” Justia Law, accessed February
5, 2019, https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/347/483/.
“segregation of public education based on race instilled a sense of inferiority that had a hugely
detrimental effect on the education and personal growth of African American children.”3
Personal Response
My personal response to this case is to view the ruling as a major step in the right
direction that benefited African Americas who were fighting for civil equality. I believe that all
people are created in the image of God and should be treated as such. Before Brown v.
Education, the country was hiding behind smoke and mirrors with “separate but equal” when in
fact, one group of people was being treated very differently than the other, not as equals.
Ministry Implications.
Among other things, this case screams love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).
While the ruling was a step in the right direction towards bringing people together, the
longstanding effects of racism still run deep, even today. This shows a continued systemic
problem where people place value on another person’s life because of things such as race and
ethnicity when we should be looking to others in the same manner we look to ourselves as
children of God.
Introduction.
Gavin Grimm is a transgendered male student (biologically female) who sued the
Gloucester County School Board in Gloucester Virginia. Gavin’s suit which was filed in 2015
argued that the bathroom policy in the school system is unconstitutional based on gender.
Summary.
Gavin was diagnosed with severe gender dysphoria and as part of his treatment Gavin
was required to transition to his new identity in all aspects of his life, socially, physically, etc.
Gavin and his mother notified the school and was allegedly able to use the male restrooms for
3 Ibid.
about 2 months without issue. Filed in 2015, Gavin Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board,
alleged that Gavin’s 14th amendment, specifically “Title IX of the U.S. Education Amendments
of 1972, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination by schools.”4 Gavin’s family filed a
preliminary injunction that was initially denied by the district court. However; the 4th circuit of
appeals overturned the district court’s ruling and deferred to the Dept. of Education “that
supported Gavin’s legal argument.”5 Gavin’s case would be sent back down to the 4th circuit
court where it would remain without ruling even after Gavin graduated in 2017.
Personal Response
I don’t believe that there is a way to change ones gender first and foremost. Men and
women were created uniquely different by God and man cannot change that. In the case of G.G v
Gloucester County School Board it is my opinion that Gavin’s transgenderism is nothing more
than severe lostness and brokenness on full display.
Ministry Implications
I was just at a conference where the speaker Dr. Ashford from SEBTS was discussing
ministry opportunities in our current secular culture and one of the topics was Gender. While it
would be very difficult to enter into a campus and hold conversations around gender identity
because it’s a cultural hot topic. However, for ministry purposes, this could be addressed by
presenting the full redemptive story with grace and truth, not just the biblical truth without the
grace that is due to be given along with the truth.
Introduction
Elk Grove United School District v. Newdow is a case involving an atheist father who
sued the school district for using the words ‘under God’ during the recitation of the Pledge of
4 “G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board,” American Civil Liberties Union, accessed February 5,
2019, https://www.aclu.org/cases/gg-v-gloucester-county-school-board.
5 Ibid.
Allegiance before class. He argued that in doing so, the school was violating part of the First
Amendment.
Summary
Originally filed in “March of 2000, Michael Newdow sued on behalf of his daughter to
strip the words “under God” from the Pledge recited by students in California public schools.”6
Newdow argued that simply by hearing the words “under God” violated “the establishment
clause of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.”7 His case was dismissed at the district court
level because he was divorced. However, the 9th circuit court ruled that the “school district policy
requiring [the pledge] to be recited both violated the First Amendment's establishment clause.”8
Finally, in 2004 the U.S Supreme court heard the case and ruled unanimously in favor of the Elk
Grove School District.
Personal Response
My thoughts on the case are rather simple and straight forward. I agree with the outcome
of the ruling but I don’t agree with the means of the outcome being insufficient custody of one’s
child. That seems like a side step and a failure to answer the actual question that was at hand.
The ruling should have been that hearing something doesn’t constitute violation of the First
Amendment in any form or fashion.
Ministry Implications
I think the ministry opportunities here are great. The name of God and His message is
offensive to those who don’t believe. This would be a great time to engage in a conversation with
someone who professes not to believe and listen to why they don’t and then talk about your faith
6 “Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow,” Becket, n.d., accessed February 5, 2019,
https://www.becketlaw.org/case/elk-grove-unified-school-district-v-newdow/.
7 “Elk Grove United School District v. Newdow,” Oyez, accessed February 5, 2019,
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2003/02-1624.
8 Ibid.
if they’re willing to listen. I have had this exact conversation with several people both young and
old and each time it’s been fruitful.
References
“10 Important Supreme Court Cases about Education - National Constitution Center.” National
Constitution Center – Constitutioncenter.Org. Accessed February 5, 2019.
https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/10-important-supreme-court-cases-about-education.
“Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).” Justia Law. Accessed February
5, 2019. https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/347/483/.
“Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow.” Becket, n.d. Accessed February 5, 2019.
https://www.becketlaw.org/case/elk-grove-unified-school-district-v-newdow/.
“Elk Grove United School District v. Newdow.” Oyez. Accessed February 5, 2019.
https://www.oyez.org/cases/2003/02-1624.
“G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board.” American Civil Liberties Union. Accessed February
5, 2019. https://www.aclu.org/cases/gg-v-gloucester-county-school-board.
