Defend views on how the Supreme Court should act in this case. Locate and analyze, in small groups, newspaper articles related to a group of people who have fought for their civil rights. DAY ONE 1. This law allowed men to beat their wives with a stick or rod the width of their thumb. At the time, women, their children, and any property females brought to the marriage lawfully belonged to the husband to do with as he pleased.
Students then share their responses.
Share that traditionally, since the country's inception, states have had autonomy in rulings on interpersonal violence. Divide students into groups of three. Have one person in each group take on the role of Christy Brzonkala, drafting a statement she might make before the Supreme Court to convince the justices of her case. Cite her experience, as mentioned in the article, and her possible reactions to the challenges she has faced in bringing a lawsuit. The remaining two people should take on the roles of justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Mr. Rosman, drafting arguments for their points of view on the boundaries of federal and state power in terms of civil rights cases.