Choices in Little Rock by Sarah Shields https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f January 19, 2017 en-us 2017-01-17 23:12:33 UTC 2017-01-20 14:16:21 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padletuploads.blob.core.windows.net/aws/14706525/e85837511793e4e3a77ed13a8bc29aef/Capture.jpg Reflect on the following quote: sarahashields https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f/wish/147702687  In 1944, federal judge Learned Hand gave a speech on the spirit of liberty, in which he reflected:

"I often wonder whether we do not rest our hopes too much upon constitutions, upon laws, and upon courts. These are false hopes; believe me, these are false hopes. Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it; no constitution, no law, no court can even do much to help it. While it lies there, it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it."

Which does Judge Hand believe is more a powerful  force in society,  the law or the hearts and minds of citizens? What do you think? What connections can you make to your examination of the desegregation of Central High School in 1957 so far?]]> 2017-01-17 23:12:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f/wish/147702687 Add your comment by clicking on the pink "+" sign in the lower right hand corner. sarahashields https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f/wish/148268770 2017-01-20 02:49:03 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f/wish/148268770 Judge Hand believes that in order for liberty to persevere, it is up to the people in the society, and not because of a constitution, or any other law that says it must be followed. I believe that there is something to what he says, however I also believe having a government that operates with checks and balances and reviews what has happened in the past is also necessary to push that progress along. Once there is a law declared, I believe you will at least have SOME fall in line because they are law abiding citizens. Eisenhower addresses this with his Address to the Nation, where he expresses the expectation of the executive branch and how he must enforce the law. He also goes on asking the citizens of Little Rock to allow for integration to occur, which goes back to my original thought: You must have both the laws AND the people to work together for the common good. ejreed https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f/wish/148272539 -ER]]> 2017-01-20 03:41:48 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f/wish/148272539 https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f/wish/148332885 Judge Hand believes the hearts and will of the people are the essential element in protecting liberty.  I basically agree -- the will of the people is a necessary but not sufficient factor.  The Constitution doesn't have the power to interpret and enforce itself without real people. Citizens have the Constitution and law as the framework, but we must continue to use our heart, intellect and strategies to  use to add the flesh and muscle.   Eisenhower had to choose to enforce the law as it had been interpreted byt the Supreme Court. -- SN]]> 2017-01-20 12:24:40 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f/wish/148332885 Judge Hand believed that the hearts of citizens is more important than the laws. While I agree with him in terms of importance I do not think that the US as a nation is at that independent level without the laws being enforced. For example with the Little Rock nine, if it was left only to the hearts and minds of the citizens, then segregation would exist til this day. But because there were laws, the President was forced to enforce the law regardless of his opinion. With my liberal bias, I believe the freedom to go without laws and only with the hearts of the citizens are not aligned to American democracies but to socialist countries. https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f/wish/148356011 -Lydia]]> 2017-01-20 14:06:23 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahashields/b4b9bpuu1z1f/wish/148356011