2. Define judicial activism and judicial restraint. Explain the reasons that judges would exercise activism or restraint, and how Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education were examples of each.
Through judicial activism, it is possible to ensure that the rights of individuals are given priority and their needs are provided for. A judge or a court of law is considered to be restrained when it is unwilling to depart from past cases laid down by the law. As a judge, you would exercise activism so that your rights as a citizen would be protected. Plessy v Ferguson and Brown v Board of Education were examples of activism and restraint. In Plessy v Ferguson and Brown v Board of Education, people were denied their rights unfairly because their racial background caused them to be discriminated against.
