Brown vs Board of Education reaction blog post

The mock trial on Brown vs Board of Education was interesting. The opposing parties of the argument allow segregation and the other argument allows integration. The Brown vs Board of Education was the case in Topeka, Kansas to fight for integration. The plaintiff was Oliver Brown who was determined to fight for his daughter's right to a better education in an environment with more resources to aid in her learning. The resources and education black kids received presented a different image than what actually occurred. In reality it was separate but not equal because the institutions attended by white children were well kept and held to the highest esteem, while the institutions for black children were run down and overcrowded. 

The arguments presented by the lawyers for segregation were based on religion and social standards that allowed for segregation to be a part of life and by saying that God felt integration was not allowed. The arguments presented to keep segregation enforced could only be argued from a religious standpoint. 

The arguments made to keep segregation went against the doctrine of separate but equal, however the United States of America enforced segregation in schools until 1954. The integrated environment was portrayed as a positive environment for black children’s education, but the environment was harsh and unwelcoming. This was detrimental to their mental wellbeing and fueled the negative racist stereotypes and scrutiny they faced everyday attending school. 

An example of a better education and negative stereotypes that arose from integration of schools is the Little Rock Nine in Arkansas. The nine high school students in Arkansas were faced with racist remarks and assault when attending school, the environment became so dangerous that the black students were escorted to school by the national guard. Another example of integration and its effects on black children is Ruby Bridges. She was only eight years old when she went to an all-white school and suffered the same hostility and discrimination as the Little Rock Nine in Arkansas. 

In closing, I would like to say that the landmark case of Brown v Board of Education gave way to integrated institutions. Integration has fostered diversity all across the US and the world. Without this landmark decision the world would not be as developed as it is today. 

Sources

Brown v. Board of Education: Summary, Ruling & Impact - HISTORY

The Little Rock Nine | National Museum of African American History and Culture (si.edu)

Ruby Bridges | National Women's History Museum (womenshistory.org)