Study Guide for
Thurgood
By George Stevens, Jr.
Directed by Eric J. Little
Performed by Geoffrey Williams
Produced by
Theatrical Outfit, 2016
Based on the life and career of the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, this
riveting narrative charts Thurgood Marshall’s evolution from back-alley Baltimore, to
Howard University law school, to his fight for equality in the South, all the way to a seat
on the highest court in the land in 1967. In addition to his victorious challenge of
segregation in Brown vs. Board of Education, humorous and inspiring milestones of
Marshall’s journey reveal the remarkable brilliance, perseverance and hope of one of the
greatest American heroes of all time.
Thurgood reinforces the following standards:
A. United States History Social Studies Georgia Performance Standards
SSUSH13 The student will identify major efforts to reform American society and
politics in the Progressive Era.
c. Describe the rise of Jim Crow, Plessy v. Ferguson, and the emergence of the NAACP.
SSUSH22 The student will identify dimensions of the Civil Rights Movement, 19451970.
c. Explain Brown v. Board of Education and efforts to resist the decision.
d. Describe the significance of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
and his “I Have a Dream.”
B. American Government/Civics Social Studies Georgia Performance Standards
SSCG16 The student will demonstrate knowledge of the operation of the federal
judiciary.
a. Explain the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, federal courts and the state courts.
c. Describe how the Supreme Court decides cases.
d. Compare the philosophies of judicial activism and judicial restrain
Study Questions and Activities:
Study Questions and Activities provide the opportunity for students to demonstrate their
knowledge and understanding of the play and its historical context, related to specific
educational standards or elements.
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1. What was Brown v. Board of Education? Explore the efforts to resist the decision
and explain how the ruling affected American society.
2. How does the Supreme Court function and what role does it play in the
progression of our country? Compare and contrast the philosophies of judicial
activism and judicial restraint.
3. Please explore the major influences on Thurgood Marshall and his legacy after
his death.
POST SHOW DISCUSSIONS
1. How have the efforts and work of Thurgood Marshall changed the world we live
in today?
2. How can our current Supreme Court Justices continue to build on Thurgood
Marshall’s contributions?
3. What issues do our Supreme Court Justices face presently and how can they work
to overcome them?
ACTIVITIES
1. Research and Compare
Compare and contrast the arguments in Brown v. Board of Education.
Activity: Re-Enact the Hearing of Brown v. Board of Education
Step One: Research the American Civil Rights Movement, previous legal rulings and the
rise of Jim Crow.
Step Two: Assign students to play the key people in the ruling and allow the arguments
constructed within your own research to guide the re-enactment.
Step Three: Lead students through a discussion of the influence of the ruling on future
legal hearings after reflecting on Brown v. Board of Education.
2. Writing a Speech
Consider as Thurgood Marshall passionately fought for civil rights the speeches of other
Civil Rights heroes that would have influenced.
Step 1: Research and Develop Criteria for Great Speeches
Listen to famous speeches and start asking yourself questions.
What inspired you while listening to the speech? Was there anything that made you feel
more invested? How did the speaker connect with YOU? Is there any sort of formula to a
good speech (ex. empathy + evidence + plan= inspiration?) Work together to develop
your own criteria.
Consider looking at Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” and “Letter from a
Birmingham Jail.”
Step 2: Pick a topic for your persuasive speech. Pick something you are passionate
about changing.
Step 3: Outside Class Preparation
Research and draft your speech for presentation. Be sure to use facts to support your
opinions.
Step 4: Present and Critique
Present your speech in class. Your audience of classmates will then rate your speech on a
scale of 1-5 for each criterion chosen earlier in class.
4. Imagine and Write
Step One: Creatively Imagine
Think about how the US Supreme Court operates and interacts with the other branches of
government. What alterations could be made to the system to create a more efficient legal
process? Or do you believe the checks and balances of our present system are necessary
to maintain balanced progression?
Step 2: Research
Research the Supreme Court and its interactions with other US branches of government.
Step 3: Construct a Thesis and Write
Defend your argument of how we either need to change the present Supreme Court or
why the system of legal rulings should remain the same.
Recommended Further Learning Resources:
United States Courts on Thurgood Marshall:
http://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/justice-thurgoodmarshall-profile-brown-v-board
Primary Sources on Thurgood Marshall:
http://www.prattlibrary.org/research/tools/index.aspx?cat=19943&id=83747
Civil Rights Vocabulary:
https://www.vocabulary.com/lists/174961
Judicial Activism Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_activism
See Notes for Sources