Brown vs. Board of Education

Brown vs. Board of Education

 

     Brown vs The Board of Education was a turning point in the history of America, breaking the precedent set by Plessy vs. Ferguson. Signifying a shimmer of hope for true equality in the eyes of so many African Americans. In an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the case and the impact it had on America, the class will go through the process of a mock trial; imitating the parts of this trial and arguing either on the side of Brown or The Board of Education. 

    My team and I were assigned to take the angle of The Board. While there is no logical argument to take in order to support segregation in schools, we had to take ourselves out of this current time period and our own opinions, and travel back to pro-segregation 1954 America. My personal argument is focused on a pathos approach, making a point based upon an emotional platform. 

    For the past 77 years, black and white children have been educated in separate school buildings. This has become comfortable for all parties, being surrounded by children who look like them and think like them allows for growth in the most unimaginable ways. 

    Due to America's long history of slavery and illiteracy among African American's, black children were originally at a disadvantage when education became a plausible opportunity for them. Many of these African American children were surrounded by people who lacked adequate reading, writing, and mathematical skills. Which in turn, would make it harder for these black children to learn and comprehend the necessary skills. Their parents and grandparents were oftentimes not an accessible resource to learn from, because they themselves do not even know the materials. 

    If we were to desegregate schools, and place a racial mix of children into the same classroom it would be a disadvantage to both parties. Black children may feel inferior, due to their need to catch up on classroom skills. This would cause emotional damage, and potentially cause these black students to feel inferior to their white classmates. White children would be disadvantaged in the aspect of their learning would be hindered due to the slowing of overall classroom pace. If white students learning is hindered, it may cause feelings of anger leading to a further divide between the races. White students would go out of their way to push feelings of foolishness and incapability on black students. 

    By continuing racial segregation in the classroom, it gives greater opportunity to both groups of children. Each party can grow and develop at a pace best suited for their capabilities. In an all black classroom, students would not be pressured to quickly master skills that take years to thoroughly understand. White students would be able to quickly go through materials at speeds that black students simply cannot handle. 

    Segregation would also create a more peaceful and welcoming classroom environment. Even Maya Angelou said, "In so many ways, segregation shaped me, educated me, and liberated me." Segregation in schools provides students with the most opportune environment to make the most of themselves. It fosters encouragement, growth, and allows for the deepest forms of learning to take place. 

    While I do not personally believe that segregation should have ever had a place in this world, by proceeding through the formation of a mock trial it allowed for me to have a better sense of the history that was ultimately not too long ago. Defending the side of history that was in the wrong was a difficult side to take, but further informed me of the difficulties African Americans faced in this country.