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50 Years After Brown v. Board

The 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education did more than just end legal segregation in public schools—it set the stage for sweeping changes in American society, paving the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which profoundly transformed life for all Americans, particularly minorities.

The case began with a simple but significant injustice faced by an eight-year-old third-grader in Topeka, Kansas. Linda Brown was forced to walk over a mile each way to attend a Black public school, even though a “whites-only” school was just seven blocks from her home. Her parents, believing this to be grossly unfair, challenged the system, and the NAACP eagerly took up their case in 1951.

After years of legal battles, on May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court overturned the long-standing “separate but equal” doctrine, ruling unanimously that “in the field of public education, the doctrine of separate but equal has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. Segregation of white and colored children in public schools has a detrimental effect upon colored children… a sense of inferiority affects the motivation of a child to learn.”

However, the fight for educational equality was far from over. Three years later, in Little Rock, Arkansas, a 17-year-old high school student named Ernest Green would risk his personal safety—perhaps even his life—in the name of desegregation.

On September 23, 1957, Green and eight other Black students, known as the Little Rock Nine, faced an angry mob of thousands, spurred on by the actions of a segregationist Arkansas governor. Determined to enforce the Brown decision, they were met with spitting, shoving, and name-calling. Guarded by 1,000 National Guardsmen, these courageous students persisted through the chaos and hostility. Ultimately, Little Rock Central High became one of the first schools in the South to integrate, and Ernest Green became its first Black graduate the following year.

Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Green shared, “I think one of the most important outcomes was the psychological breakthrough. Our parents’ bravery and our actions confirmed that we were human beings—equal and entitled to a solid education.”

The Brown decision, alongside events like the desegregation of Central High, marked the beginning of the end for “de jure” segregation in the United States. These moments also laid the groundwork for the civil rights movement, which would reverberate for more than 50 years and profoundly shape cities like Chicago, particularly on the South and West sides.

In this, the 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board, our state leaders should be commended. Under the leadership of Senate President Emil Jones, Joint Resolution 40 was passed, creating a 30-member commission tasked with ensuring that Illinoisans not only remember Brown, but also understand its lasting impact on civil rights and how it has shaped nearly every aspect of life in Illinois.

Like the nation, our state has paid a steep price for its moral transformation. From the riots and assassinations of the 1960s to the establishment of government programs aimed at enforcing the Court’s decision—such as court-ordered busing, affirmative action, and minority set-asides—progress has come at great cost.

In the months ahead, distinguished judges, civil rights activists, and everyday giants like Ernest Green will visit Illinois to help us commemorate Brown v. Board of Education. Their presence will remind us that, while the methods may have evolved, the struggle for a better, more equitable life continues.

The creation of the Brown v. Board Commission is a commendable effort, a prescription for reviewing our democratic principles and a testament to the vision of our state leaders, who have crafted legislation with far-reaching positive influence.