Quote by Justice William J. Brennan, Jr.,
Consequences flow from a justice's interpretation in a direct and immediate way. A judicial decision respecting the incompatibility of Jim Crow with a constitutional guarantee of equality is not simply a contemplative exercise in defining the shape of a just society. It is an order
Summary
This quote suggests that the actions and decisions made by a justice have significant and immediate consequences. When a justice interprets the law and recognizes the inconsistency of practices like Jim Crow with the constitutional guarantee of equality, it is not just an intellectual exercise. Rather, it becomes an authoritative order, commanding a change in society to ensure justice and equality are upheld and discriminatory practices are abolished. The quote emphasizes the active role of a justice in shaping a fair and just society through their interpretations and decisions.