Pursuit of Equality: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

In 1954, a landmark decision was reached by the Supreme Court. The case was entitled Brown vs. Board of Education.

The decision effectively ended racial segregation in American schools.

Not all Supreme Court decisions change history, but this one certainly did. And for the better.

Today's FamilyFirst site is entitled In Pursuit of Equality: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Here's its mission:

On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court announced its decision that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." The decision effectively denied the legal basis for segregation in Kansas and 20 other states with segregated classrooms and would forever change race relations in the United States. This site is a resource for information and source material about Brown v. Board of Education.

The museum is an online presentation that goes into great depth to depict the struggle of blacks to attain the same quality of education offered to whites.

For instance, did you know that a court decision banning segregation was made as early as 1855? I learned that factoid from the online exhibit's first chapter. I also learned that many blacks settled in Kansas after the Civil War to escape the Jim Crow laws and continuing acts of violence against them in southern states. Kansas offered much less racial prejudice. In fact, majority opinion favored the education of blacks.

Of course, a better overall environment didn't stop segregation. Kansas still had “colored” and white facilities such as bathrooms, water fountains, and seating in public areas.

Interestingly, many challenged the Boards of Education in several Kansas cities, stretching back to 1881. But it was this case that finally crushed the long-standing segregation of students.

The site is loaded with history in the forms of documents, photos, and first-hand accounts. You can also virtually tour Topeka's historic sites.

So here's to all those who steadfastly opposed racial segregation. Enjoy today's FamilyFirst site.

http://brownvboard.org

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