Separate Is Not Equal – Brown v. Board of Education Essay Example

Rights.

Although some commentators argue that the decisions in the Brown case escalated tensions and caused unrest, it also ignited a movement for social equality and ultimately improved rights for African Americans. Nevertheless, there is concern about the Supreme Court's inadequate communication of social change. Thurgood Marshall, an NAACP lawyer and leader who personally experienced discrimination due to his skin color, represented Donald Gaines Murray. Their argument was that the University of Maryland's School of Law practiced racial discrimination by excluding black students solely based on race, despite Murray being as qualified as any white applicant.

Furthermore, he contended that the graduate schools Murray would have to enroll in after the "dark" schools were not academically equivalent to the University's graduate school, thereby violating the principle of 'separate but equal.' Marshall also claimed that the disparities between the 'white' and "black" graduate schools were so substantial that allowing students like Murray to attend the University's graduate school would be the only solution (HISTORY OF BROWN). In 1936, Murray gained admission to the graduate school and completed his studies within two years. Subsequently, in 1955, five separate cases were presented before the Supreme Court, including a lawsuit filed against Topeka, Kansas’ school board by plaintiff Oliver Brown. Thurgood Marshall was appointed as their spokesperson and made his main argument in court stating that segregation had adverse effects on African-American individuals' education and violated equal protection principles.

The statement (McBride) emphasizes the importance of preventing any state from enacting or enforcing laws that could deny individuals equal protection under the law. Marshall also asked Professor Kenneth Clark to consider this treatment as harmful not only to students' education but also

to their mental well-being. "Professor Clark used dolls in innovative psychological tests to illustrate the negative effects of segregation on affected children. When questioned by Robert Carter of the NAACP, Professor Clark provided further details about his experiments and their outcomes" (The Dolls in Brown v. the Board of Education).

Thurgood Marshall emphasized the profound implications of these tests: isolation causes harm. The Brown decision promoted equality as the United States became more racially tolerant in both schools and public spaces, despite opposition. Judge Warren argued that education was a valuable asset in the United States, and no group should be deprived of it. This led to measures being taken against those who segregated blacks and whites (Patterson 142). If the Brown versus Board of Education case were to be tried in Maycomb County's Courthouse, as depicted in Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird, the outcome of Tom Robinson's trial would likely be the same.

Tom Robinson, an African American man, was unjustly accused of assaulting Mayella Ewell, a Caucasian young lady. Despite the lack of substantial evidence, he was found guilty solely because of his race. If the Browns had their case tried in the Maycomb Courthouse, it is highly doubtful that they would have received fair treatment. Due to the prevailing racial prejudice, people would have judged them based on their skin color, regardless of the nature of their case. In this town, African Americans were rarely treated as equals, except by a few like the Finch family and Mr. Underwood. Furthermore, education was something that African Americans never even considered having.

There were no educational institutions or programs available to them except for what

their parents taught them at home. In addition to the lack of schools, they also had to work on people's farms nonstop. Therefore, if this case were to be tried in this town, the first step would be to establish separate schools for integration. Now, let's imagine that there are segregated schools in Maycomb and this new law regarding school integration is implemented.

If Maycomb County fails to enforce the Ewell's school attendance beyond one day as required, it raises doubts about the potential success of school integration. Furthermore, the people of Maycomb, who generally hold contempt and perceive themselves as superior based on their majority skin color, would never accept such a significant change. Ultimately, Maycomb County suffers from racial injustice as a southern town. In the event that a case similar to Brown versus Board of Education were to arise in Maycomb, African Americans would likely face an unfavorable outcome and make no progress in society. Fortunately, the NAACP persisted with this case and fought until they reached the Supreme Court which made decisions based on morality rather than politics.

Works Cited

1. Dudley, Mark. Brown v. Board of Education (1954). New York: Twenty-First Century Books, 1994. Print. Harvey, Fireside and Fuller, Sarah.

Brown v. Board of Education, Equal Schooling for All. New Jersey: Onslow Publishers Inc., 1994.

Good, Diane. Brown v. Board of Education, Cornerstones of Freedom. Canada: Scholastic Inc., 2004.

Print.

Board of Education." USCOURTSGOV RSS. N.P., n.d. Web. 14 Oct.

2014.