This publication contains a speech on the continuing struggle for equity in education for African Americans presented to the Southern Education Foundation (SEF) by Jean Fairfax when she received the John A. Griffin Award for Advancing Equity in Education. In the speech, Fairfax addressed disagreements within the black community over educational issues that have accelerated in scope, intensity, and anger since the 1960s. Covered are disagreements over integration implementation methods, the Atlanta (Georgia) school court case, the "Adams v. Richardson" suit of 1970; and the impact of the suit on traditionally black public colleges. In particular, the Adams experience is described as a possible model for confronting issues in the future as it was a conflict around which pragmatic, workable consensus developed. The future demographic diversity of the United States is described, and consequent educational issues are predicted, including multiculturalism, conflict among minority groups, and other issues. Jean Fairfax calls for agreement on strategies for developing a shared vision of the future in the United States and a continued commitment to the ideals of the SEF. (JB)