Brown vs. Board of Education

Brown vs. Board of Education

Outline

Introduction: The introduction to the case of Brown vs Board of Education

Timeline: The timeline of related major incidents regarding segregation (TimeLine, 1985).

Background: The history of racial segregation and formation of NAACP.

The Case: A lawsuit which resulted in desegregation in American educational facilities.

References

Introduction

This case of brown is considered as one of the most explosive decisions ever by the supreme court of United States. This case was filed against the segregation in schools during the year 1951. There was racial segregation in the schools, having different schools for white Americans and African Americans. Besides, African Americans have different schools; they were not treated well with the infrastructure and quality of supplies and updated school text books. The African Americans could not get enrolled in the school of whites because of racial segregation (Warren, 1954). This was the time where the African American needed change to have equal educational opportunities. The case was filed by an African American named Oliver Brown, since the case is called Brown versus Board of Education.

TimeLine

1896 Court Upholds Separate But Equal

Plessy v. Ferguson was the time when the challenge for desegregation initiated. The Supreme Court takes the decision on 14th amendment clause stating that there will be 'Separate but Equal' facilities for blacks and whites. It developed the constitutional ground for segregation.

1909 NAACP Established

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was formed to prevent the racial segregation injustice and injustice (TimeLine, 1985).

1948 Segregation battle Strategy

The board of directors of NAACP approves the special counsel under Thurgood Marshall's view for fighting segregation. This strategy was focused on fighting against segregation in education (Timeline, 1985).

1952 School Segregation Cases Combined

There were several cases recorded against segregation in schools from various states and were combined to be filed and fought as one. This indicated the issue as the matter national importance in view of Supreme Court of United States (Timeline, 1985).

1954 Segregation ruled Unconstitutional

The Plessy v. Ferguson 14th amendment stating the racial segregation violence in public schools was turned down by Supreme Court for equal opportunity to African Americans .

Background

During the 19th century, the United States passed 13th amendment to outlaw slavery. Three years later another 14th amendment was constituted to prevent the rights of citizenship to all United States natives. Besides, these two amendments, 15th amendment was passed to protect citizenship of African Americans, protecting their voting rights and eliminating remnants of slavery. In the late 19th century, the segregation laws were ignored in the South. There was racial segregation in schools, restaurants, water fountains, restrooms and public transportation (Patterson, et al 2001).

In 1896, a black man from Louisiana, Homer Plessy filed the case facing racial segregation in railroad coaches. The case was first fought in state courts then it was referred to Supreme Court. The decision was upheld noting that there are separate cars providing equal services and it was not violation of 14th amendment. Therefore, the separate but equal developed the constitutional ...