Thurgood Marshall in entrance of the Supreme Courtroom in 1958 (Credit score:
Library of Congress)
Earlier than the actor who performed Black Panther introduced him to life on the silver display, Thurgood Marshall had already secured his place as a real-life superhero of civil rights.
That’s precisely what the documentary “Changing into Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” focuses on, inviting viewers to “mirror on his work shaping the American authorized system.” As a pioneering power within the authorized battle for civil rights, Marshall cemented his legacy as the primary African American man to be appointed to the Supreme Courtroom of the USA.
By interviews with acclaimed authors, authorized students, and relations, the movie traces Marshall’s journey from his childhood and work with the NAACP Authorized Protection Fund to his appointment to the Supreme Courtroom — marking his inspirational accomplishments alongside the best way. “Legally talking, he’s one of many founding fathers,” famous writer Wil Haygood. Try a trailer for the movie, under:
Born in 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland, Marshall got here from humble beginnings throughout the segregation period, and as a toddler, his father introduced him to courtroom to look at authorized proceedings. In accordance with his son, John, Marshall was “very impressed with watching attorneys argue circumstances” — and he would later develop into one of the crucial eloquent advocates ever to look earlier than the Supreme Courtroom.
Marshall pursued a path of educational excellence, attending two distinguished Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities, Lincoln College and Howard College College of Regulation. From there, he embarked upon a profession that may make racial equality a actuality and alter the long run for all People.
Generally known as “Mr. Civil Rights,” Marshall repeatedly took up difficult causes, successful 29 of the 32 circumstances he argued earlier than the Supreme Courtroom, together with the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Schooling, which ended racial segregation in public faculties. His struggle for equality didn’t finish there, nevertheless, as a few years of litigation adopted due to “huge resistance” to the excessive courtroom’s resolution. Marshall by no means gave up, and secured victory after victory within the identify of equality and justice for all.
“The work and lifetime of Thurgood Marshall actually modified this nation in methods which can be extremely optimistic and highly effective and that also resonate right now,” mentioned Sherrilyn Ifill of Howard Regulation.
Marshall’s historic rise to authorized prominence was rewarded with positions of observe inside the judiciary and the federal authorities. In 1961, he was appointed to U.S. Courtroom of Appeals for the Second Circuit. 4 years later, he was appointed because the nation’s first Black Solicitor Basic. Then, in 1967, he was nominated to develop into the primary Black Supreme Courtroom justice in the USA. He served for twenty-four years, the place he continued to champion equal justice beneath the legislation, earlier than retiring in 1991.
Govt producer Stanley Nelson mentioned this of the movie’s iconic topic and its significance given right now’s struggle for civil rights: “His story has at all times been related and well timed. However I feel that now, when we now have an actual assault on historical past, particularly African American historical past, it turns into extra related than ever.”
“Changing into Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” premieres Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org, and the PBS app. The movie reminds us that earlier than he was ever portrayed as a personality, Marshall was — and stays — a real superhero of American justice.
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Regulation, the place she’s labored since 2011. She’d love to listen to from you, so please be at liberty to electronic mail her with any suggestions, questions, feedback, or critiques. You may comply with her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or join along with her on LinkedIn.
