Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
📍 Court
Supreme Court of the United States
👥 Parties
Plaintiff: Oliver Brown (on behalf of his daughter, Linda Brown)
Defendant: Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
Plaintiff: Oliver Brown (on behalf of his daughter, Linda Brown)
Defendant: Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
📜 Facts of the Case
Linda Brown, an African-American child, was denied admission to a white public school close to her home.
She was forced to attend a segregated Black school much farther away.
The segregation was legal under the doctrine of “separate but equal” established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).
Linda Brown, an African-American child, was denied admission to a white public school close to her home.
She was forced to attend a segregated Black school much farther away.
The segregation was legal under the doctrine of “separate but equal” established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).
⚖️ Legal Issue
Does racial segregation in public schools violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution?
📖 Law Involved
14th Amendment – Equal Protection Clause
14th Amendment – Equal Protection Clause
🧠 Arguments
Plaintiffs argued:
Segregation creates a sense of inferiority among Black children.
Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.
Defendants argued:
Schools were equal in facilities and resources.
Segregation was permitted under Plessy v. Ferguson.
🏛️ Judgment
Decision: Unanimous (9–0)
Delivered by: Chief Justice Earl Warren
Decision: Unanimous (9–0)
Delivered by: Chief Justice Earl Warren
✅ Holding
“Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”
“Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”
The Court held that racial segregation in public schools violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
🔁 Effect on Previous Law
Overruled Plessy v. Ferguson (in the context of public education)
Overruled Plessy v. Ferguson (in the context of public education)
📌 Significance
Ended legal segregation in public schools across the U.S.
Became the foundation of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Led to later desegregation cases and civil rights legislation.
Established that psychological effects of discrimination matter in constitutional law.
Ended legal segregation in public schools across the U.S.
Became the foundation of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Led to later desegregation cases and civil rights legislation.
Established that psychological effects of discrimination matter in constitutional law.
🧩 Aftermath
Brown II (1955) ordered desegregation with “all deliberate speed”.
Implementation was slow and faced strong resistance in many states.
Brown II (1955) ordered desegregation with “all deliberate speed”.
Implementation was slow and faced strong resistance in many states.
✍️ Famous Quote
“Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”a
“Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”a
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