Brown+vs.+Board+of+Education

Aelin Hill May 4th, 2011 3 Brown vs. Board of Education

Basic Facts: The turning point of African American Segregation. Plaintiff Arguments: The 14th Amendment did not say that the states could have segregated schools. Also, the plaintiff arguments stated that African American children had psychological difficulties when there was segregation between African Americans and whites. Finally, they stated that the fourteenth amendment allowed the government to abolish any segregation within a state. Defendant Arguments: The defendants stated that the Constitution didn't say that the African Americans had to attend the same school as whites. Also, African American segregation was a "regional custom" according to the defendants. Another argument on the defendant side was that segregation didn't hurt the African American people. Finally, they stated that whites were trying to make education equal for both African Americans and the whites. Court Change: The Supreme Court said that the case of Brown vs. Board of Education was a very difficult case. The justices were divided between their moral beliefs and it was hard for them to establish the final decision. The Supreme Court mainly wanted to end school segregation, but were worried about the out comes of their decisions. Eventually, one of the Supreme Court justices died and a new justice was put on the case. The Court's Decision: Earl Warren, the new justice, was appointed to write the final court decision.He stated that African Americans were being harmed by the racial segregation and that it was vital for African Americans and whites to have equal education. Enforcing the Decision: The Supreme Court decided to name racial segregation unconstitutional and stated that states should end segregation. Many whites became upset and some created campaigns against the removal of segregation in America. Legacy and Impact:The Brown Decision was a turning point for America on the terms of racial segregation. The Brown decision changed the South forever. They had thought of racial segregation to be a major part of their way of life and their culture in the South. However, African Americans continued to struggle with African American segregation through out America for years to come.