Question

To separate [African American children] from others . . . solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority . . . that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone. . . . The impact is greater when it has the [approval] of the law, for the policy of separating the races is usually interpreted as denoting the inferiority of [African Americans]. A sense of inferiority affects the motivation of a child to learn.

–Chief Justice Earl Warren
Opinion of the Court
Brown v. Board of Education



What is the purpose of this passage?

To provide legal support for segregation
To note that segregation calls for the separation of races
To defend the motives of those who favor segregation
To assert that legal segregation is harmful to children.

Answer 1

To assert that legal segregation is harmful to children.

The passage explains how racially based separation creates feelings of inferiority and harms children's motivation and ability to learn, especially when sanctioned by law.