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Linda Brown Smith, Ethel Louise Belton Brown, Harry Briggs, Jr., and Spottswood Bolling, Jr. during press conference at Hotel Americana

Linda Brown Smith, Ethel Louise Belton Brown, Harry Briggs, Jr., and Spottswood Bolling, Jr. during press conference at Hotel Americana. | Library of COngress

The Lasting Legacy of Brown v. Board and Ongoing Challenges

May 20, 2024

The Lasting Legacy of Brown v. Board and Ongoing Challenges

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The 70th anniversary since the Supreme Court's landmark civil rights ruling of Brown v. Board of Education integrated public education took place on May 17, 2024. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Annette Gordon Reed of Harvard Law School and the first Black student to enroll in an all-white school in her Texas hometown in 1963, and Kevin Young of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

View the transcript of the story.

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Discussion Questions

  1. Who are the individuals and groups featured in this story?
  2. What did the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case decide?
  3. Where was the Brown case based out of before it made it to the Supreme Court?
  4. When did the Supreme Court make its landmark Brown v. Board decision?
  5. Why did Annette Gordon-Reed say her experience at Conroe Independent School District was intense?
  6. How has America grown as a nation? 

Focus Questions

  • Gail Etienne, civil rights pioneer, said, "They treated us like animals. We didn't know it at the time, but that is exactly what they were doing. There were teachers definitely there that were encouraging them to do that to us, call all kind of names, spit on us."
  • What has happened in American history and in the hearts of the American people that on one had great progress has been made since the Brown v. Board decision and on the other hands, more work needs to be done to end racism?
  • Media literacy: Both guests brought up the key role that public school played in their lives and their family's lives and the need to recommit to public institutions, including higher education (colleges/universities). How do you think educational institutions have created a more equal and just society?

Extension Activity

Watch President Joe Biden's comments on Brown v. Board's 70th anniversary at an NAACP event or read this article.

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Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.

Brown v. Board of Education

Teaching students about the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education is crucial for understanding our nation's history and the fight for equality. View this collection to help you get started with your lesson planning.

PBS NewsHour Classroom
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of NewsHour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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