Mackenzie Connell
September 1, 2023
HIS-200
1-3 Writing Plan Progress Check 1
Topic of interest:
1974-1988 marked a crucial chapter in Boston's educational history as the
Boston Public School system underwent court-ordered desegregation, primarily accomplished
through student busing. This era consisted of prominent racial and socioeconomic disparities,
making it a significant moment in the city's history. This period witnessed intense protests as
well as the National Guard deploying to safeguard African American students as they entered
what used to be all white high schools in South Boston and Charleston. This desegregation
busing initiative sparked an extensive debate.
Several factors contributed to the escalation of racial tensions during this time. Letters addressed
to the Boston School district, cases like Brown vs. Board of Education, and the phenomenon of
"white flight" all worsened the intense racial conflict that unfolded. These events held a lot of
significance in shaping the educational landscape and left a lasting impact on the path of the
Civil Rights Movement.
Research question:
Did desegregation efforts occur in other regions of the United States, or was
this a specific issue confined to Boston during this time?
