How has the U.S. Constitution changed, and what does it mean for those who live in our country? To find out, the Johnson Institute went to an expert, J. Mason Davis, Jr., to discuss the 2022 Law Day theme, “Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change.”
Davis, now retired, spent his career as an attorney in Birmingham Alabama. “He was involved in some of the most significant controversies in the civil rights struggle. As the attorney for a number of students who participated in the widely publicized Huntsville lunch counter sit-ins in 1961 and 1962, Davis played a key role in the desegregation of Alabama. In recognition of his conspicuous contributions in advancing racial reconciliation, his family was pictured on Time magazine's cover in 1974,” as his bio states.
This interview, conducted by a middle school social studies teacher, Brittany Hamner of Erwin Middle School of Center Point, Alabama, is geared to middle and high school students. Teachers can watch the video in class or assign it as homework, and use the questions below to generate discussion.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to start a class discussion, frame a research topic, or as writing prompts for essays. The questions are based on the content of the videos above and information from the other resources linked below. You can download these questions as a .pdf here.
The following questions are based on the content of the interview.
Davis graduated from law school in 1959. How did the law change over the course of his career?
According to Davis, why did owners of Birmingham’s coal and iron mines try to maintain segregation?
When Davis represented college students who participated in the Huntsville sit-ins, he drove to and from Birmingham each day instead of spending the night in Huntsville. Why?
In your own words, explain what it means for the Constitution to be a “living document.”
Davis mentions the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. How did it apply in the case of the students in the Huntsville sit-ins?
Judge Frank Johnson grew up in Winston County, Alabama. Why does Davis think this played a role in shaping Judge Johnson’s perspective?
Why was Davis unable to attend law school at the University of Alabama? What did he do instead? How did his relationship with the University of Alabama later change?
Based on what you learned in the video, why was Davis was one of the first Black attorneys in the state?
How did Davis help people prepare to register to vote? Why was this necessary?
What are some jobs that people with a law degree can do besides practicing law?
Further research: The Constitution has shaped our nation. Find an example of an event from history when the Constitution played an important role in shaping events of the time.
The following are questions about this year’s Law Day theme developed by the American Bar Association.
In your view, what is needed to fulfill the promise of a “more perfect Union?”
Why is it important that our Constitution can be changed? In your opinion, when in our nation’s history has constitutional change been most critical?
How can individual citizens use their voices to fulfill the promise of the Constitution?
Where does power reside within our constitutional democracy?
What does that phrase, “a more perfect Union,” mean to you? What do you think it has meant to our nation?
What do you think about when you hear “rule of law?”
Why is the rule of law valuable to our community? Why is it valuable to you?
What is a challenge facing the rule of law today?
Is there someone who you admire as an upholder of the rule of law?
Further Resources for Law Day
Alabama State Bar
The Alabama State Bar Lawyer in Every Classroom Committee will be providing lawyers to visit middle school classrooms (6th-8th grades) in-person or virtually Monday, May 2, 202, to teach students about this year’s Law Day theme and to answer students’ questions. Register at the link above.
American Bar Association
Dive into Law Day with more information on the history of the event and resources for learning about each year’s theme.
United States Courts
Dive into distance learning on Law Day with the U.S. Courts.