Understanding the Ruling in Brown v. Board of Education and Its Impact on American Schools
On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. In this case, the court unanimously determined that racial segregation in public schools violated the Fourteenth Amendment, stating that separate schools for African American and White children were inherently unequal.
The Historical Context
The saga of Brown v. Board of Education began with the plaintiff, Oliver Brown, who wanted to stop the Topeka schools from busing his daughter to a "black school" even though she lived in the neighborhood of a "white school." The Supreme Court not only invalidated this practice but also delivered a historic statement: “The time has come to desegregate schools with all deliberate speed.”
However, the road to desegregation was fraught with challenges. In the early years following the ruling, many communities moved slowly, especially in the South. By 1957, only 20 of the Southern school districts had begun the process of desegregation.
Implementation of the Supreme Court's Decision
In September 1957, a federal court ordered Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, to be desegregated. A white mob blocked the admission of nine black students, and Arkansas governor Orval Faubus refused to take action. In response, President Eisenhower sent in 1,000 federal troops and activated 10,000 members of the National Guard to protect the students and ensure they could attend class. This event highlighted the significant resistance to desegregation.
The Concept of Equality: A Myth?
The idea that schools could be segregated if the facilities were equal was a fallacy. The Fourteenth Amendment was not about material equality but about the principle of equal treatment under the law. The U.S. Supreme Court recognized that the segregation itself was inherently unfair, even if facilities appeared to be equal.
The Role of James Coleman
In 1966, sociologist James Coleman published his infamous Report on “Equality of Educational Opportunity.” This report, often called the Coleman Report, emphasized the importance of socioeconomic factors in education. Coleman’s recommendation for desegregation busing to randomly choose pupils and integrate them from opposite-race neighborhoods gained prominence. This recommendation was adopted by the Supreme Court in Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District.
Desegregation busing aimed to equalize educational opportunities, but it was met with significant resistance. Whites often sold their homes or moved to other jurisdictions to escape busing. This “white flight” left urban areas in deplorable conditions. The problem was that no one ever equalized the facilities in various neighborhoods. As a result, the resistance was fierce. This led to what some called the “white flight,” leaving inner cities in a state of decay.
The Supreme Court's Failed Attempts at Desegregation
In 1970, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Merhige ordered a sweeping plan that included the City of Richmond, Henrico County, and Chesterfield County. However, the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Judicial Circuit disallowed the plan, citing jurisdictional issues. They noted that City of Richmond was an independent governing unit and could not be forced to send pupils to schools outside its jurisdiction.
Efforts to extend the reach of busing caused significant social unrest. One wag famously quipped, "Dare we breathe the words 'forced jetting'?" It was suggested that courts might need to order the airlift of students using puddle-jumping aircraft or commercial jets to achieve a racial balance between counties and cities.
James Coleman eventually retracted his earlier stance, stating that the “desegregation busing” strategy had failed. By the 1980s, even the courts began to realize the futility of the approach. The damage caused by forced busing remains, with many urban areas struggling with socio-economic disparities.
Political Perspectives on Desegregation Busing
It's worth noting that even prominent politicians like Joe Biden opposed desegregation busing in his earlier career. His statistics supported the argument that "This is a train wreck!"
To conclude, Brown v. Board of Education and the subsequent efforts at desegregation through busing were groundbreaking, yet they faced significant challenges. The legal, social, and political aftermath of the ruling continues to shape American education, despite the challenges and setbacks.
Learn more about the impact of the ruling on American schools.