Programs

Separate but Equal and the Brown Decision

The Brown v Board of Education case combined separate cases from Kansas, South Carolina, Delaware, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The Brown companion cases presented segregation at its worst. Although supposedly guaranteeing African Americans "separate but equal" education, segregated schools for African Americans often had overcrowded classrooms in run-down buildings. Many had little money for books and supplies and most had no indoor plumbing. African-American children had to walk several miles to schools as bus service was not often provided for them. The NAACP challenge segregation in schools and took the Brown case to the Supreme Court. After reviewing each case, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were illegal. Chief Justice Earl Warren, speaking on behalf of the unanimous Supreme Court, found that in the "field of public education the doctrine of 'separate but equal' has no place." This richly illustrated presentation gives a historical overview of the Brown case with historic photos from each of the states' involved and photos from the events taking place to commemorate the 50th anniversary. Additionally, there are several plaintiffs and descendants who are being interviewed about their recollections of the historic Brown cases. Requires an LCD projector, laptop or computer, screen, and a table to display books on the topic. (Speaker can provide LCD projector and laptop if needed) Adult and high school audiences.

Janet Sims-Wood is former Assistant Chief Librarian in the Reference/Reader Services Department at the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University. She has also taught at the University of Maryland in the Afro American Studies Department. Dr. Sims-Wood received her B.A. in Sociology from North Carolina Central University, her M.L.S. from the University of Maryland, and her Ph.D. in Women’s Studies/History/Oral History from Union Institute Graduate School.