As part of Black History Month at DU, lawyer Rick Jones spoke about what he felt were the 10 most significant cases in civil rights history and why they were so important on Wednesday night at the Sturm College of Law.

Jones identified Dred Scott vs. Sandford in 1857, civil rights cases of 1883, Plessy vs. Ferguson in 1896, Powell vs. Alabama in 1932, Shelley vs. Kramer in 1948, Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954, Heart of Atlanta Motel vs United States in 1964, Loving vs. Virginia in 1967, University of California vs. Backy in 1978, and Grutter vs. Bollinger in 2003, as the 10 most important cases in the history of civil rights.

“The law has evolved. In 1857, the law said anyone of African American descent could never be a citizen,” said Jones. “In 2006 the law said not only are African Americans citizens but there is a compelling interest for racial diversity on college campuses.”

The cases illustrate the development of African American’s civil rights in the United States and the role law played.

The cases also illustrate how society as a whole has been transformed by the outcomes of these cases, Jones said.

Jones said the Dred Scott vs. Sandford case in 1857 was significant because it declared that all people of African American descent, whether or not they were slaves, could never be citizens of the United States.

In contrast, the Grutter vs. Bollinger case in 2006 dealt with reverse racism on the issue of affirmative action.

While all cases directly affected the rights of African Americans, they also impacted all U.S citizens, Jones said.

He cited the Powell vs. Alabama case, guaranteed for the first time that every citizen had a right to counsel from the time of arraignment to the trial.

Jones spoke about how Americans have been affected by changing law and how important it is to realize what role law has played in granting U.S. citizens their rights and shaping how they live today.

“Rights that were established from these 10 cases are either rights you took for granted or you didn’t realize where they came from,” said Jones.

His final message was for students to be aware of how law has impacted them and be active in making future policies to better society.

Jones said society works best when there is balance and different views.

He believes a more diverse and balanced society can exist if people participate in the formation of laws.

“Don’t ever think your contribution is too small or insignificant,” said Jones. “One person can make a difference.”

About 25 students and faculty attended the event, which is part of a series of speeches during Black History Month.