Although ambiguity exists regarding how states must respond to the mandates of Fordice to dismantle dual systems of education in previously segregated states, several scholars note Fordice should manifest itself in the enhancement of public Black colleges. Responding to Fordice, the state of Maryland entered into an agreement with the Office of…

In June 2007, the United States Supreme Court rendered its most recent decision on the constitutionality of race-based education policies. The Court decided that race-based student assignment policies implemented in two school districts to ensure racially integrated schools violated the United States Constitution. Since the implementation of the…

This article has two parts. In the first part, William B. Harvey shares his life story as a Brown baby. According to him, segregation was mean and ugly and humiliating. It was a state of affairs that made you know your place and that kept you in your place. If you were colored or Negro or Black or African American, your place was at the bottom.…

"Brown v. Board of Education" (1954) is one of the greatest achievements of the American judicial system. It decisively declared racial segregation in the schools unconstitutional, inaugurating the modern civil rights era. In addition to advancing equality, "Brown" initiated a new type of judicial decision making. After "Brown," courts…

On May 17, 2004, our nation celebrated the 50th anniversary of a landmark decision, Brown versus the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. This U.S. Supreme Court decision was an impressive unanimous vote. In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the "separate but equal" doctrine of "Plessy v Ferguson" that the Court had rendered in 1896. The…

The hearts and minds of the American people have been won over on the issue of segregation. However, the dilemma is that while an overwhelming majority of Americans would cringe at the idea of a racially segregated America, America remains racially segregated and racial equality is more ideal than real. Even though there is almost no legal…

As Americans commemorate the 50th anniversary of the "Brown v the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas" U.S. Supreme Court public school desegregation decision on (the Brown decision), the author was tempted to refer to it as a "celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the legal end to racial segregation in the public schools of the United…

Much of the country has participated in the 50th anniversary celebration of "Brown v. Board of Education," a decision handed down by the Supreme Court on May 17, 1954. This historic, landmark, controversial, and revolutionary case nullified and reversed so much of the content, character, and spirit of American constitutional history,…

While on the surface baseball cards may appear to be a mundane object of child's play, they are precious tools for examining U.S. society. Baseball cards not only hold a wealth of information regarding the players they feature they also reveal much about the state of society at the time of their production and the individuals who collect them. In…

Supreme Court rulings during 1976-78 on capital punishment; criminal justice and prisoner rights; busing and school desegregation; discrimination in housing and employment; rights of illegitimates and family relations; abortion, voting rights, tenant landlord relations; and "reverse discrimination" have had a significant impact on Black Americans.…

Critically examines James S. Coleman's stated views on public school desegregation and public policy, asserting that the use of empirical research on the effects of desegregation to form policy on the pursuance of integration overlooks the rights blacks have as citizens to integrated public facilities, including schools. (JM)

Introduces special issue (with same title) designed to demonstrate how Blacks and whites, as allies, used 'tongue, pen, and participation' (social, political, religious, economic, judicial) to protest conditions such as discrimination, inequality, and segregation. Also gives broad overview of Black involvement in the antislavery movement. (CMG)

Analyzes the rhetorical mode of the civil rights movement and gives some attention to the problematic convergence of white and Black progressive writers. Focuses on two recurring metaphors used to describe the condition of Blacks: invisibility and Black Power. (KH)

The nature of legal argument, including judicial decisions, puts severe limits on the educational advances that can be expected by Black Americans through litigation. The Brown decision, for example, has been a mixed blessing, and the Bakke case shows that the Court is unwilling to support a class-based remedy for discrimination. (KH)

Contains five essays and editorial on the theme of Black/white alliances, 1941-1983. Topics discussed include a look back at slavery, rhetorical alliances in the Civil Rights era, how the nature of legal arguments limits Black educational advancement, political alliances, and religious alliances. (CMG)