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Read the excerpt from Brown v. Board of Education.

We must consider public education in the light of its full development and its present place in American life throughout the Nation.

Why does the Supreme Court make this distinction?
The court recognizes that the current delivery of education might compromise citizens’ rights.
The court recognizes that the US education system has evolved over time.
The court recognizes that people in some localities are being treated unfairly by teachers.
The court recognizes that segregated schools require additional federal funding.

hy did the Supreme Court take jurisdiction of Brown v. Board of Education?
Cases about race relations required government intervention.
The public schools in the South lagged behind other regions.
The implications of the case were important and widespread.
Influential individuals were involved in the case.

Read the excerpt from Brown v. Board of Education.

In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education.

Why does the Supreme Court assert this fact?
to highlight the idea that a child’s potential can be measured
to illustrate how desegregation will be implemented
to highlight the significance of equal access to education
to illustrate the importance of high academic standards

Read the excerpt from a supporting opinion of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson.

If the civil and political rights of both races be equal, one cannot be inferior to the other civilly or politically. If one race be inferior to the other socially, the Constitution of the United States cannot put them upon the same plane.

How does this relate to the premises of Brown v. Board of Education?
The Brown case questions whether separate schools based on race inherently render one inferior to the other.
The Brown case questions whether educators treat students differently based on their race.
The Brown case addresses whether separate entrances and water fountains suggest that one race is inferior to another.
The Brown case addresses whether separate schools hinder the political and intellectual potential of certain citizens.

Read the excerpt from the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution.

. . . nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

How does the excerpt relate to the premises of Brown v. Board of Education?
The Brown case addresses whether the plaintiff has been deprived of liberty, or freedom, as a result of attending segregated schools.
The Brown case addresses whether the plaintiff’s property has been placed in jeopardy while attending segregated schools.
The Brown case addresses whether the plaintiff has been denied due process of law while attempting to attend public schools.
The Brown case addresses whether the plaintiff has been afforded equal protection of the laws relative to those attending public schools.

9 answers

Here are the answers to your questions based on the excerpts you've provided:

  1. Why does the Supreme Court make this distinction?

    • The court recognizes that the US education system has evolved over time.
    • This is reflected in the emphasis on considering public education in light of its full development and current role in American life, suggesting an acknowledgment of how education has changed and the implications of those changes on equality.

  2. Why did the Supreme Court take jurisdiction of Brown v. Board of Education?

    • The implications of the case were important and widespread.
    • This indicates that the case was significant not only for the plaintiffs but for the entire nation, suggesting a broad impact on civil rights and education.

  3. Why does the Supreme Court assert this fact?

    • to highlight the significance of equal access to education.
    • The assertion that a child cannot reasonably succeed without an education underscores the crucial role that access to education plays in a child's future.

  4. How does this relate to the premises of Brown v. Board of Education?

    • The Brown case questions whether separate schools based on race inherently render one inferior to the other.
    • This directly addresses the core issue of segregation and its implications concerning the value and equality of education received by different races.

  5. How does the excerpt relate to the premises of Brown v. Board of Education?

    • The Brown case addresses whether the plaintiff has been afforded equal protection of the laws relative to those attending public schools.
    • This reflects the focus on equal protection under the law as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment, which is central to assessing the constitutionality of segregated schooling.

These answers should help clarify the Supreme Court's reasoning and the legal foundations of the Brown v. Board of Education case as they relate to the excerpts provided.

Read the excerpt from Brown v. Board of Education.

In each of the cases other than the Delaware case, a three-judge federal district court denied relief to the plaintiffs on the so-called "separate but equal" doctrine announced by this Court in Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537.

The Supreme Court cites these cases because it seeks to
describe the unique situation in Delaware courts.
illustrate the racial biases of federal court judges.
cite specific legal rulings in order to generalize.
share the unique differences between the given cases.

What is the plaintiffs’ main concern about the state of public schools in Brown v. Board of Education?
The curriculum was outdated and biased, which led to a poor quality of education in Topeka.
The teachers were not credentialed, which led to disparities within the Topeka school system.
The schools were racially segregated, which led to a lower quality of education for some students in Topeka.
The school buildings were in poor condition, which caused low attendance rates in Topeka.

Read the excerpt from a supporting opinion of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896.

Laws permitting, and even requiring, their separation in places where they are liable to be brought into contact do not necessarily imply the inferiority of either race to the other, and have been generally, if not universally, recognized as within the competency of the state legislatures in the exercise of their police power.

How does this relate to the premises of Brown v. Board of Education?
The Brown case addresses whether state legislatures are equipped to judge the quality of education offered at segregated schools.
The Brown case addresses whether authorities believe that one race is inferior to another when creating public schools.
The Brown case addresses whether these laws inherently deny certain citizens equal protection under the law.
The Brown case addresses the legality of using police power to monitor public places separated by race.

Which movement followed the Brown v. Board of Education decision?
equality
suffrage
emancipation
desegregation

Read the excerpt from the Supreme Court’s ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson.

That petitioner was a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State of Louisiana, of mixed descent . . . on June 7, 1892, he engaged and paid for a first class passage on the East Louisiana Railway . . . and thereupon entered a passenger train, and took possession of a vacant seat in a coach where passengers of the white race were accommodated; that such railroad company was incorporated by the laws of Louisiana as a common carrier, and was not authorized to distinguish between citizens according to their race. But, notwithstanding this, petitioner was required by the conductor, under penalty of ejection from said train and imprisonment, to vacate said coach and occupy another seat in a coach assigned by said company for persons not of the white race.

How does this relate to the premises of Brown v. Board of Education?
The Brown case addresses whether localities have the authority to label individuals by race.
The Brown case addresses whether the laws of Southern states are racially biased.
The Brown case addresses whether penalties and punishments can legally vary by race.
The Brown case addresses whether facilities separated by race are permissible by law.

Here are the answers to your questions based on the excerpts you've provided:

  1. The Supreme Court cites these cases because it seeks to:

    • cite specific legal rulings in order to generalize.
    • By referencing other cases that adhered to the "separate but equal" doctrine, the Court aims to build a broader argument about the constitutionality of segregation in education.

  2. What is the plaintiffs’ main concern about the state of public schools in Brown v. Board of Education?

    • The schools were racially segregated, which led to a lower quality of education for some students in Topeka.
    • The primary concern in the Brown case was about the effects of racial segregation on the quality of education that black students received compared to their white counterparts.

  3. How does this relate to the premises of Brown v. Board of Education?

    • The Brown case addresses whether these laws inherently deny certain citizens equal protection under the law.
    • This connects to the argument that segregation laws based on race violate the principle of equal protection as guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.

  4. Which movement followed the Brown v. Board of Education decision?

    • desegregation
    • The Brown decision was a pivotal moment in the desegregation movement, setting the stage for broader civil rights activism aimed at dismantling segregated systems.

  5. How does this relate to the premises of Brown v. Board of Education?

    • The Brown case addresses whether the laws of Southern states are racially biased.
    • The case questions the legitimacy of laws that support racial segregation and whether such laws enforce a racial hierarchy, undermining the principle of equality.

These answers reflect the context and significance of the Brown v. Board of Education case as it relates to the excerpts you've provided.

Which of these sentences are examples of racial prejudice and its physical, mental, and emotional effects on Black Americans during the twentieth century? Check each that is an example.

“It seems to be typical of life in America, where opportunities, real and fancied, are thicker than any where else on the globe, that the second generation has no time to talk to the first.”

“This fight begins, however, in the heart and it now had been laid to my charge to keep my own heart free of hatred and despair.”

“He was, I think, very handsome. I gather this from photographs and from my own memories of him, dressed in his Sunday best and on his way to preach a sermon somewhere, when I was little.”

“In my mind’s eye I could see him, sitting at the window, locked up in his terrors; hating and fearing every living soul including his children who had betrayed him, too, by reaching towards the world which had despised him.”

To identify examples of racial prejudice and its physical, mental, and emotional effects on Black Americans during the twentieth century among the provided sentences, let's analyze each one:

  1. “It seems to be typical of life in America, where opportunities, real and fancied, are thicker than any where else on the globe, that the second generation has no time to talk to the first.”

    • Not an example of racial prejudice. This sentence speaks more to generational disconnect and opportunity than directly addressing racial prejudice or its effects on Black Americans.

  2. “This fight begins, however, in the heart and it now had been laid to my charge to keep my own heart free of hatred and despair.”

    • Not an example of racial prejudice. While it implies an internal struggle possibly influenced by external factors, it does not directly articulate racial prejudice or its effects.

  3. “He was, I think, very handsome. I gather this from photographs and from my own memories of him, dressed in his Sunday best and on his way to preach a sermon somewhere, when I was little.”

    • Not an example of racial prejudice. This sentence reflects a personal memory and admiration rather than an experience of prejudice or its impacts.

  4. “In my mind’s eye I could see him, sitting at the window, locked up in his terrors; hating and fearing every living soul including his children who had betrayed him, too, by reaching towards the world which had despised him.”

    • Example of racial prejudice and its effects. This sentence illustrates the mental and emotional turmoil caused by an environment of racism, suggesting isolation, fear, and betrayal that can stem from systemic prejudice.

In summary, the fourth sentence is the one that exemplifies racial prejudice and its effects on Black Americans during the twentieth century.

Choose one of the examples of racial prejudice you highlighted as you read the excerpt. What does this example tell you about racial prejudice during this time period?

Let's examine the fourth example: “In my mind’s eye I could see him, sitting at the window, locked up in his terrors; hating and fearing every living soul including his children who had betrayed him, too, by reaching towards the world which had despised him.”

This example vividly illustrates the profound emotional and psychological impact of racial prejudice during the time period. Here’s what it reveals:

  1. Mental Health Struggles: The imagery of a person "locked up in his terrors" highlights how racial prejudice can lead to anxiety, paranoia, and a feeling of entrapment. This emphasizes the psychological toll that living in a racially hostile environment can have on individuals, leading to a sense of fear and isolation.

  2. Fear and Distrust: The mention of "hating and fearing every living soul" suggests that the scars of prejudice can manifest in deep-seated mistrust, not only towards society at large but also towards one's own community and even family. This indicates that the effects of racial prejudice don't just harm those directly targeted but can ripple through relationships and community bonds.

  3. Betrayal and Alienation: The phrase "including his children who had betrayed him" poignantly captures how systemic racism forces individuals into difficult positions where seeking better opportunities (represented by the children reaching towards the world) can be viewed as a betrayal. This reflects the emotional conflict experienced by individuals who are caught between their aspirations and the oppressive realities of their circumstances.

  4. Despair and Hopelessness: The overall tone conveys a sense of despair—a feeling that no matter how one tries, the world outside is filled with hostility and rejection. This reflects a broader societal issue where the hopes for progress are continuously undermined by the pervasive prejudice prevalent in society.

In summary, this example indicates that racial prejudice during this time was not only a social issue but also one that had deep psychological effects on individuals and families. It underscores the pervasive sense of fear, alienation, and emotional distress that can arise from living in a society that systematically devalues certain groups, illustrating how racial prejudice destroys not just opportunities but also the very fabric of relationships within communities.

Which ideas did you include in your response? Check all that apply.

It shows how racial prejudice limits Black people’ options in life.

It shows how racial prejudice shapes Black people’s outlook.

It shows how racial prejudice has a negative psychological effect on Black people.

It shows how racial prejudice makes Black people feel powerless.

In the response provided, I included the following ideas:

  1. It shows how racial prejudice limits Black people’s options in life.

    • This idea is reflected in the mention of the children “reaching towards the world which had despised him,” suggesting limited options and opportunities due to systemic racism.

  2. It shows how racial prejudice shapes Black people’s outlook.

    • The sense of fear and mistrust toward others, as well as the internal conflict regarding aspirations, indicates that racial prejudice significantly shapes individuals' perspectives on life and their relationships.

  3. It shows how racial prejudice has a negative psychological effect on Black people.

    • This is emphasized by phrases like "locked up in his terrors," highlighting the mental anguish and emotional turmoil caused by living in a prejudiced society.

  4. It shows how racial prejudice makes Black people feel powerless.

    • The overall tone of despair and the notion of feeling betrayed by one's own children encapsulate a sense of helplessness and powerlessness in the face of societal rejection.

Therefore, all four ideas were included in the response. Each contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted effects of racial prejudice on Black individuals during the time period.