Black/White & Brown: Brown v. The Board of Educati

Black/White & Brown: Brown v. The Board of Education of Topeka (88:00)

Myths, misconceptions, and the march of time have obscured the true origins and legal details of Brown v. The Board of Education. This fascinating program connects viewers with the people, places, events, and ideas that shaped the landmark civil rights case. Interviewees include Cheryl Brown Henderson, daughter of lead plaintiff Oliver Brown; Zelma Henderson, who, until her death in 2008, was the only surviving Brown plaintiff; and the children of other plaintiffs, attorneys, and activists. Civil rights leader Roger Wilkins and other scholars provide additional expertise on the roles played by the NAACP and the U.S. Justice Department. The DVD version includes materials for further historical study of the case. (56 minutes + 32 minutes of bonus material)

Significance of Brown v. the Board of Education (04:37)
In the summer of 1954, President Eisenhower addresses the NAACP two months after the US Supreme Court refutes the doctrine of separate but equal education, and bans segregation.

Black-Only Schools in Topeka, KS (05:02)
In the 1940s and 50s, Topeka's elementary schools for black children offer good education in nurturing environments. Former students and teachers share their experiences in the black-only schools.

Segregation vs. Core American Values (03:10)
In 1942, the superintendent of schools in Topeka speaks on core American values throughout the country; yet, he maintains the status quo of segregation. The prose and poetry of Langston Hughes presages changes to come.

President Truman Desegregates Federal Government and Military (03:51)
In 1948, President Truman signs an order de-segregating the federal government and armed forces. In 1950, McKinley Burnett informs the school board that he and the NAACP will go to court if the schools did not integrate.

McKinley Burnet vs. Board of Education (04:31)
A black law firm with decades of experience litigating discrimination cases joins McKinley Burnett to sue the Topeka School Board. Teacher Lucinda Todd plays a key role in forwarding the class action lawsuit against the school district.

Plaintiffs Gather Evidence of Segregation (02:34)
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the Topeka School Board gather evidence when they attempt to enroll their black children in all-white schools. Oliver Brown is the only male plaintiff in the case.

Brown v. Board of Education Filed in District Court (05:11)
In 1951, the lawsuit known as Brown v. Board of Education or Brown v. Board was filed in federal district court. NAACP attorneys from New York become involved in the case at the request of Lucinda Todd.

Kansas Court Upholds Segregation (04:58)
One contention of plaintiffs' attorneys in Brown v. Board is that black children suffer psychologically by being segregated from white children in schools. The court upholds Topeka's right to segregate schools.

Supreme Court Involvement in Brown v. Board of Education (03:48)
The Supreme Court combines a number of cases similar to Brown v. Board of Education prior to making a ruling. The Court considers the "separate but equal" phrase of the 14th Amendment. Separation is not equality.

Supreme Court: Appointment of Earl Warren (02:16)
The Supreme Court of 1952 could not reach a decision in Brown v. Board. Eisenhower appoints Earl Warren as Chief Justice. Warren's court will face history-making decisions.

Racism in the US and Cold War (02:60)
Brown v. Board becomes an issue in international politics. Both the Soviet Union and the US vie for the right to take over certain Third World countries. The US needs to clean up its image at home before it can win support from African nations.

Supreme Court Ruling on Brown v. Board of Education (02:14)
Chief Justice Earl Warren reads the Court's decision. Education is not equal if black children are segregated purely on race. The psychological effects are harmful and the educational opportunities unequal, the Court decides.

Controversial Supreme Court Wording on Segregation (02:00)
A years after the Brown v. Board ruling, plaintiffs reject the manner in which the pronouncement is worded. The ruling mentions no specific date by when segregation must end, and there is no mandate for immediate follow through immediately.

Southern Manifesto Rejects Supreme Court Ruling (02:41)
Southern elected officials deliver a manifesto in which they say they will use every legal means to overthrow the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board. The manifesto is made public in March 1956.

Impact of Brown v. Board of Education (04:22)
Brown v. Board leaves a lasting impression on American society. The ruling makes the nation talk about racism and segregation. The Civil Rights Act passes ten years later, and the Voting Rights Act one year after that.