Did Brown v. Board Work?

Throughout the early 20th Century, the majority of institutions in America remained segregated. African Americans and whites could not use the same services or belong to the same organizations. Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 opened the door for desegregation to begin working in the United States. But did Brown v. Board actually work?

Today, you will be reading various documents about segregation and integration in 20th Century America.

1. Carefully read through the documents.
2. In a Microsoft Word document, carefully answer the corresponding questions.
3. As you read and write, think about our main question: Did Brown v. Board really work? Write 1 paragraph arguing your position.

Plessy v. Ferguson:

• What is the purpose of the Equal Protection Clauseof the 14th Amendment?
• What is the purpose of the 13th Amendment?
• What was the Supreme Court's rationale for ruling against Plessy?
• What does this say about the interaction between Whites and African American's during this time?
• How did the court's decision perpetuate segregation?

Brown v. Board

• Why did Brown claim that school segregation violated the Equal Protection Clause?
• What made the Court believe that seperating children by race was psychologically damaging?
• How did the Court define "Universal Education?"

Majority Opinion for Brown v. Board, Excerpt

• Why does Warren think public education is so important?
• Why does Warren think that segregation of education is so harmful to African American children?
• What is Warren's ultimate conclusion regarding "seperate but equal?"

Where are We Now?

• What are the 2 reasons that the authors of this article think we should care about Brown v. Board?
• What do the authors say is happening now in schools in terms of desegretation?
• Carefully read the quotation from Martin Luther King, Jr. What does he say is the key difference between desgregation and integration?
• Where do you believe we are now in terms of desegration?

***When you have completed the questions, write 1 paragraph arguing for or against the success of Brown v. Board using evidence from the documents.

You will recieve full credit for this activity if you:

• Completely reflect on and answer the questions (15 points)
• Write 1 paragraph arguing for or against the success of Brown v. Board. Use evidence from the documents you read. (5 points)

While this country has come a long way since our days of institutionalized segregation, we still have many issues to work through in terms of desegregation and integration. On Monday, be prepared to talk about these issues within your own community.