Francheska+Quinones

= = **__Seperate Is Not Equal: Brown V. Board OF Education__**

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in //Brown v. Board of Education// was a turning point in the history of race relations in the United States. On May 17, 1954, the Court took away constitutional sanctions for segregation by race, and made equal opportunity in education the law of the land. //Brown v. Board of Education// reached the Supreme Court through the fearless efforts of lawyers, community activists, parents, and students. Their struggle to fulfill the American dream set in motion sweeping changes in American society, and redefined the nation’s ideals. After the civil war, millions of enslaved African American hoped to join the larger society as equal citizens. Some white Americans welcomed them but others also used racism, other people's ignorance and self-interest to sustain and spread racial divions. By 1900 the North and the South had created a segregated society that condemned Americans of color to second-class citizenship. Everything was not equal just yet. Colored African Americans were denied in most places like schools, parks etc. People of color strengthened their own schools and communities and fought for the resources that had been unjustly denied to their children. Parents’ demands for better schools became a crucial part of the larger struggle for civil rights.