5th-Brown+vs.+Board+of+Education

The Brown vs. Board of Education __**
 * __



The 1954 United States Supreme Court decision in // **Oliver L. Brown et.al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka (KS) et.al.** // is among the most significant judicial turning points in the development of our country. Originally led by Charles H. Houston. It dismantled the legal basis for racial segregation in schools and other public facilities.

By declaring that the discriminatory nature of racial segregation, this violates the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, "which guarantees all citizens equal protection of the laws," //**Brown v. Board of Education**// laid the foundation for shaping future national and international policies regarding human rights. // **Brown v. Board of Education** // was not simply about children and education. The laws and policies struck down by this court decision were products of the human tendencies to prejudge, discriminate against, and stereotype other people by their ethnic, religious, physical, or cultural characteristics. Ending this behavior as a legal practice caused far reaching social and ideological implications, which continue to be felt throughout our country. The // **Brown** // decision inspired and galvanized human rights struggles across the country and around the world.

"What this legal challenge represents, is at the core of United States history and the freedoms we enjoy." The U.S. Supreme Court decision in **//Brown//** began a critical chapter in the maturation of our democracy. It reaffirmed the sovereign power of the people of the United States in the protection of their natural rights from arbitrary limits and restrictions imposed by state and local governments. These rights are recognized in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

While this case was an important historic milestone, it is often misunderstood. Over the years, the facts pertaining to the //Brown// case have been overshadowed by myths and mischaracterizations: The //Brown// decision initiated educational and social reform throughout the United States and was a catalyst in launching the modern Civil Rights Movement. Bringing about change in the years since the //Brown// case continues to be difficult. But the **//Brown v. Board of Education//** victory brought this country one step closer to living up to its democratic ideas.
 * **//Brown v. Board of Education// w** as not the first challenge to school segregation. As early as 1849, African Americans filed suit against an educational system that mandated racial segregation, in the case of //Roberts v. City of Boston//.
 * **Oliver Brown**, the case namesake, was just one of the nearly 200 plaintiffs from five states who were part of the NAACP cases brought before the Supreme Court in 1951. The Kansas case was named for Oliver //Brown// as a legal strategy to have a man head the plaintiff roster.

//This document tells the story of **Brown v. Board of Education** and the history makers involved in the case.//

__Kansas – //Brown// v. Board of Education __
In 1950 the Topeka NAACP, led by McKinley Burnett, set out to organize a legal challenge to an 1879 State law that permitted racially segregated elementary schools in certain cities based on population. For Kansas this would become the 12th case filed in the state focused on ending segregation in public schools. The local NAACP assembled a group of 13 parents who agreed to be plaintiffs on behalf of their 20 children. Following direction from legal counsel they attempted to enroll their children in segregated white schools and all were denied. Topeka operated eighteen neighborhood schools for white children, while African American children had access to only four schools. In February of 1951 the Topeka NAACP filed a case on their behalf. Although this was a class action it was named for one of the plaintiffs Oliver Brown.