Read the story.

Meeting Mr Marshall

‘I’m sorry,’ Daniel mumbled, as his mother marched him out of school.

‘Uncle John and I have discussed your behaviour,’ Mama answered, ‘and I’m taking you to his office, to have a talk with someone there.’

Mama’s brother, Uncle John, was the only African American lawyer for miles around. For a couple of years now, since 1947, he’d been representing a waitress who argued she was unfairly treated because of her race. Mama was worried about that case, Daniel knew. But who is this ‘someone’ I’m supposed to talk to? Daniel wondered, his stomach churning.

‘Daniel, come in!’ Uncle John boomed as they arrived.

‘Yes, sir,’ Daniel squeaked, wiping his damp hands on his trousers. Entering his uncle’s office, he saw a well-dressed man standing by the desk.

‘Meet Mr Thurgood Marshall,’ Uncle John said. ‘Mr Marshall is an excellent lawyer who has argued and won cases at the United States Supreme Court. I’ve asked him to talk some sense into you, in private.’ Daniel gulped as his uncle left and closed the door.

‘Go ahead, son, I’d like to hear what happened.’

Daniel looked at Mr Marshall and started his story. At the school Daniel and other African American students attended, he explained, they used books and supplies discarded by the ‘white school’. White students got new books as well as new science and art supplies, while his school received the old, broken stuff that the other school no longer wanted.

Mr Marshall nodded and asked, ‘How did you get into trouble?’

Daniel hung his head and admitted, ‘I complained.’

Mr Marshall raised his eyebrows.

‘I said I wanted new books, because it’s not fair that ours are old and dirty, and then Mrs Dawes said to show respect and appreciation. I said I’d appreciate new books more than torn-up ones, and she sent me to the headmaster,’ he explained, hot with embarrassment.

But Mr Marshall smiled, replying, ‘Daniel, you remind me of myself.’

Daniel stared at the man in surprise, and Mr Marshall chuckled.

‘Don’t tell your mother or uncle,’ Mr Marshall said, ‘but I was often in trouble at your age, and do you know why?’

Daniel swallowed. ‘No, sir.’ 

‘Because I complained, I argued and I demanded equality. And you know how my teacher, Miss Jefferson, punished me?’ Mr Marshall asked. ‘She gave me a copy of the US Constitution and made me learn it by heart, front to back,’ he said, chuckling again. ‘Best thing that ever happened to me.’

Daniel let out his breath, but now Mr Marshall fixed him with a steely gaze. ‘Do you know your Constitution?’ he asked.

Daniel’s mouth went dry as he shook his head no.

Mr Marshall pulled out a booklet, marking it with a red pen before handing it to Daniel. ‘Pay attention to this section,’ he directed.

In the scramble of fancy words, the red-circled phrase leaped out at him. ‘Equal protection of the laws,’ he read, looking up.

‘Those words are important, Daniel. Now, you need to respect your teacher because she’s working hard. And take your studies seriously.’

Daniel sighed at Mr Marshall’s words.

‘But you’re right, too,’ Mr Marshall continued. ‘Everyone deserves an equal education, in schools where all students learn together, and that’s something I’m working on.’ He gave Daniel a smile. ‘People who notice when things aren’t right can help us fix them. If you decide you’d like to attend law school later, be sure to look me up.’

Daniel’s heart soared to hear Mr Marshall’s confidence in him. ‘Thank you,’ Daniel choked out, reaching out to shake hands with the great man. ‘I will, sir.’