Brown v. Board of Education
1954
"We come then to the question presented: Does segregation of children in public schools solely on the basis of race, even though the physical facilities and other "tangible" factors may be equal, deprive children of the minority group of educational opportunities? We believe that it does." -- Chief Justice Warren
In 1950, the NAACP in Topeka, Kansas wanted to protest the "separate but equal" doctrine that had infiltrated into the Kansas school system since the days of Plessy v. Ferguson. The four elementary schools in Topeka for African American children lacked many of the programs and amenities at the thirteen schools for white children. After months of unsuccessful attempts to convince the School Board to integrate the school system, the NAACP decided to take action. Thirteen African American parents in the school system agreed to take their children to enroll in white schools. After being denied from admission due to race, the parents compiled all of their collective documentation (applications, letters of denial, etc.). Mr. Oliver L. Brown took the role as lead plaintiff, and, on February 28, 1951, the NAACP filed suit as Mr. Oliver L. Brown against the Kansas Board of Education. The District Court ruled against the NAACP, and the case was appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court combined five cases into the Oliver L. Brown et. al. v. The Board of Education et. al.: Belton v. Gebhar; Brown v. The Board of Education; Bolvine v. C. Melvine Sharpe; Briggs v. Elliot; and Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County. Chief Justice Warren delivered the unanimous decision of the Court on May 17th at 12:52pm, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine. The Court ruled that segregation was unconstitutional and violated the 14th Amendment.
"We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place."
The Supreme Court combined five cases into the Oliver L. Brown et. al. v. The Board of Education et. al.: Belton v. Gebhar; Brown v. The Board of Education; Bolvine v. C. Melvine Sharpe; Briggs v. Elliot; and Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County. Chief Justice Warren delivered the unanimous decision of the Court on May 17th at 12:52pm, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine. The Court ruled that segregation was unconstitutional and violated the 14th Amendment.
"We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place."