Brown v
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Jesse Cortez / Gov 2305 / November 1st 2023
Supreme Court Case: Brown v. Board of Education Handout
As you view the videos, note the key points as they relate to the overall case.
VIDEO CLIP:
The
Origin of Brown v.
Board of
Education
(Links to
an external
site.)
(1:35)
VIDEO CLIP:
Path to
the Supreme
Court
(Links to an
external site.)
(4:54)
Describe Linda Brown Thompson's childhood experience that led to this Supreme Court
case.
Linda Brown was denied admission to a white elementary school near her home in Topeka, Kansas,
because of her race.
Instead, she had to attend a segregated school further away from her home.
Her
father, Oliver Brown joined a group of parents who sued the Topeka Board of Education, arguing that
the segregation of public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14
th
Amendment.
Describe the images that are presented in the video and explain their significance.
Linda Brown Thompson humanized the issue and shed light on the detrimental effects of racial
segregation on children's education and well-being. Her experiences, along with those of other
plaintiffs in the case, helped build a compelling argument against the "separate but equal" doctrine
and played a crucial role in challenging the legality of racial segregation in public schools.
Why did Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP choose the
Brown v. Board of Education of
Topeka
case?
Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP chose the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case because it
presented an opportunity to challenge the “ separate but equal” doctrine that upheld racial segregation
Jesse Cortez / Gov 2305 / November 1st 2023
in schools.
The NAACP saw this as a chance to challenge the constitutionality of segregation in
public schools and to fight for equal rights and opportunities for African American students.
Explain the important aspect of Judge Walter A. Huxman's opinion in the
Brown v. Board
of Education of Topeka
case.
In the Brown v. Board of Education case, Judge Walter A. Huxman’s opinion emphasized the
educational benefits of racial integration.
He stressed that mixing with white students would provide
significant advantages for black students.
VIDEO
CLIP:
Consolidation of
Cases
(Links to an
external site.)
(3:05)
Explain the cases that were consolidated into the
Brown v. Board of Education
.
Brown V. Board of Education was a landmark case that consisted of five separate cases from different
states, all challenging racial segregation in public schools. The cases were Brown v. Board of
Education of Topeka, Briggs v. Elliot (South Carolina), Davis v. County School Board of Prince
Edward County (Virginia), Gebhart v. Belton (Delaware), and Bolling v. Sharpe (Washington, D.C.).
These cases were consolidated under the name Brown v. Board of Education and argued collectively
before the Supreme Court. The goal was to challenge the constitutionality of racial segregation in
public schools and seek the end of the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson
in 1896.
Why did the Supreme Court decide to consolidate these cases?
The Supreme Court decided to consolidate these cases, including Brown v. Board of Education of
Topeka, because they all addressed the issue of racial segregation in public schools. By consolidating
the cases, the Court could consider the broader issue of school segregation and its constitutionality as
a whole.
Jesse Cortez / Gov 2305 / November 1st 2023
VIDEO CLIP:
The Doll
Test
(Links to an
external site.)
(3:57)
Describe the "doll test" and its significance to the
Brown v. Board of Education
case.
The "doll test" was a psychological experiment conducted by black scientists Kenneth and Mamie Clark.
It involved asking black children to choose between dolls with different skin colors and hair types. The
results showed that most children preferred white dolls and associated positive attributes with them. The
"doll test" research was later used as key evidence in school desegregation lawsuits, including the
landmark case Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
What effect did the "doll test" have on the thinking of the justices during the case?
The "doll test" conducted by psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark had a significant impact on the
thinking of the justices during the Brown v. Board of Education case. The test showed that segregation
had detrimental effects on the self-esteem and racial preference of black children. The justices recognized
the psychological significance of segregation on African American children, and this evidence played a
crucial role in their decision.
VIDEO CLIP:
The Key
Question and
o
What was the key question before the Supreme Court in the
Brown v. Board of
Education
case?
Jesse Cortez / Gov 2305 / November 1st 2023
Decision
(Links to an
external site.)
(2:57)
The key question before the Supreme Court in the Brown v. Board of Education case was whether
racial segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment to the United States Constitution. The case challenged the "separate but equal"
doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson, which allowed for racial segregation as long as the
separate facilities were equal in quality.
o
Describe the process through which Chief Justice Earl Warren ensured the Court's
decision would be unanimous.
He was committed to achieving a unanimous ruling to demonstrate the Court's unity and strength
in condemning racial segregation. Warren engaged in extensive behind-the-scenes negotiations
and discussions with his fellow justices to build consensus and address any concerns or
disagreements.
However, it is known that Chief Justice Warren played a crucial role in shaping
the unanimous decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case.
o
Explain the decision as written by Chief Justice Earl Warren.
Chief Justice Earl Warren delivered the opinion of the unanimous Court, holding that "separate but
equal" facilities are inherently unequal.
The Court found that segregation had a detrimental effect
on African-American children's educational opportunities and self-esteem.
The opinion stressed
the importance of providing equal educational opportunities to all children, regardless of their
race. It argued that segregation perpetuated inequality and denied African-American students the
benefits of a quality education.
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