On May 17, 1954, the United States’ Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state-sanctioned segregation of public schools was a violation of the 14th amendment and was therefore unconstitutional in the watershed civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.
This monumental court ruling marked the start of the national effort to desegregate public schools, which continues to this day.
On the 70th anniversary of this crucial decision by the Supreme Court, we must not forget how the ruling actually came to be. It took the work of countless brave Black parents, students, educators, and allies working tirelessly to demand change at the local, state, and federal level. And it took those community members organizing even after the ruling to ensure the desegregation orders were implemented, despite what seemed like insurmountable obstacles.
In this current moment, as we see the resurgence of an anti-equity backlash across the county, let us remember the lessons we learned 70 years ago— that when we come together, we have the power to create the world we want to live in. As we reflect on the past 70 years of the fight for education equity, let’s keep working towards a safe, equitable, inclusive classroom for every child, together.
Read this article on The 74 to learn how segregation legally continues seven decades post Brown.
What was your experience learning about Brown vs. Board of Education and the fight to desegregate our public schools? Let us know by sharing your story here or in the comments below.
