Cecelski+Overview

Great podcast with David Cecelski (the summary in 18 minutes) http://www.scotusblog.com/2010/02/podcast-with-david-cecelski/

Problem w/ Brown is the lack of ability to enforce desegregation in local government/school boards. African American schools were being destroyed with the movement of desegregation--terrible loss of culture/history. African Americans were treated horribly in white schools, tracked lower, undervalued.

If THIS is how we're going to be treated, we want our own schools back.

Plessy v. Fergesson was inherently bad for black students, yet black schools still weren't equal. Yet, black schools were able to create strong black schools, despite poor/unequal conditions. Their schools were their protective, special space. Teachers know you, you see them in church, this is your space to share together. High expectations, nicely dressed, you are going to school for intellectual attainment and social achievement. This was all destroyed with the attempt of desegregation.

Brown was a one-way street into the white tradition. Destruction of black leadership in schools. Almost completely wiped out. Black teachers were integral to black schools and black community. Some halt to this in circuit courts, but not completely.

Plessy was never taken seriously, but it was the new idea after Brown was widely rejected/unable to be enforced. Resistance to Brown is the build up of African American schools. (Civil Rights Act of 1964 gives executive branch right do deny funds and enforce Brown.)

Desegregation meant they closed the newer, better black schools that were recently build in the philosophy of Plessy v. Fergesson.

NAACP did not forsee or encourage the closing of black schools. They did not image this would happen. Enforcement was the big issue that caused such resistance.

HEW (Health Education and Welfare) charged with the enforcement of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Two things happening
 * 1) Brown meant only the destruction of the two school systems (did not have to honor the black schools, treatment of black teachers, etc.) In fact they would plea for equal treatment, but did not feel they could enforce it.

African American schools were wonderful during this time and it's a great loss in the history of schooling in America. Some claim that blacks reject integration, but that's not the point. Their history is lost and needs to be a part of black schooling.