The Road to Justice
The story of Brown v. Board of Education, which ended legal segregation in public schools, is one of hope and courage. There were more than 150 plaintiffs across the country, when these people agreed to be plaintiffs in the case, they never knew they would change history. The people who make up this story were ordinary people. They were teachers, secretaries, welders, ministers and who simply wanted to be treated equally.
The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) is one of the most pivotal opinions ever rendered by that body. This landmark decision highlights the U.S. Supreme Court’s role in affecting changes in national and social policy. Often when people think of the case, they remember a little girl whose parents sued so that she could attend an all-white school in her neighborhood. In reality, the story of Brown v. Board of Education is far more complex.
In December, 1952, the U.S. Supreme Court had on its docket cases from Kanas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, South Carolina, and Virginia, all of which challenged the constitutionality of racial segregation in public schools. The U.S. Supreme Court had consolidated these five cases under one name, Oliver Brown et al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka. One of the justices later explained that the U.S. Supreme Court felt it was better to have representative cases from different parts of the country. They decided to put Brown first “so that the whole question would not smack of being a purely Southern one.”
This collection of cases was the culmination of years of legal groundwork laid by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in its work to end segregation. None of the cases would have been possible without individuals who were courageous enough to take a stand against the segregated system.
The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) is one of the most pivotal opinions ever rendered by that body. This landmark decision highlights the U.S. Supreme Court’s role in affecting changes in national and social policy. Often when people think of the case, they remember a little girl whose parents sued so that she could attend an all-white school in her neighborhood. In reality, the story of Brown v. Board of Education is far more complex.
In December, 1952, the U.S. Supreme Court had on its docket cases from Kanas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, South Carolina, and Virginia, all of which challenged the constitutionality of racial segregation in public schools. The U.S. Supreme Court had consolidated these five cases under one name, Oliver Brown et al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka. One of the justices later explained that the U.S. Supreme Court felt it was better to have representative cases from different parts of the country. They decided to put Brown first “so that the whole question would not smack of being a purely Southern one.”
This collection of cases was the culmination of years of legal groundwork laid by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in its work to end segregation. None of the cases would have been possible without individuals who were courageous enough to take a stand against the segregated system.
24 Aug 2018
Wow such a great site. We first took in the movie in the auditorium where the 30-minute film Race and the American Creed traces the history of racism and segregation. The film is a dialogue between a young girl and a long-time friend of her grandfather. The student is seeking to learn about the long struggle to provide freedom and equality to all Americans. This really set the mood and meaning of the site.
We then took in the two gallery's. First The Education and Justice gallery, This exhibit gallery examines the barriers African Americans faced while trying to receive a formal education from the early 19th century to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision. Investigate why leaders in the black community fought so hard and took risks to integrate schools. Photos, exhibits, and interpretive media are combined to offer a summary of these hardships due to racial injustice. The gallery features seven short films.
We then took in the Hall of Courage and the Legacy of Brown v, Board of Education gallery. This gallery explores the Civil Rights Movement that followed in the wake of the Brown decision, rallying thousands of people dedicated to the eradication of prejudice and racial discrimination from all forms of public life. Learn about the continuing international impact and living legacy of Brown to ensure equality in all walks of life for all people.
After that we got to take in the former kindergarten room that has being restored to its 1954 appearance. See what it was like to attend the segregated Monroe school during the court case and find out how teachers were affected by the decision.
Plan on an half day or more here as there is so much to take in here.
Click here for photo's of our visit
NPS Website
Our 126th NPS Unit
We then took in the two gallery's. First The Education and Justice gallery, This exhibit gallery examines the barriers African Americans faced while trying to receive a formal education from the early 19th century to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision. Investigate why leaders in the black community fought so hard and took risks to integrate schools. Photos, exhibits, and interpretive media are combined to offer a summary of these hardships due to racial injustice. The gallery features seven short films.
We then took in the Hall of Courage and the Legacy of Brown v, Board of Education gallery. This gallery explores the Civil Rights Movement that followed in the wake of the Brown decision, rallying thousands of people dedicated to the eradication of prejudice and racial discrimination from all forms of public life. Learn about the continuing international impact and living legacy of Brown to ensure equality in all walks of life for all people.
After that we got to take in the former kindergarten room that has being restored to its 1954 appearance. See what it was like to attend the segregated Monroe school during the court case and find out how teachers were affected by the decision.
Plan on an half day or more here as there is so much to take in here.
Click here for photo's of our visit
NPS Website
Our 126th NPS Unit
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