Reflections on Day 2

Reflections on Day 2

The Brown vs. Board of Education Museum was a great experience for me. Most people have heard or had a social lesson in school about this landmark Supreme Court decision. At the museum, however, our presenter did a great job of helping us understand the complexity and the importance to this societal issue.

I think, to begin, one must comprehend the doctrine of “separate but equal” that was conventional thought in that day. Dexter, our presenter, laid the ground work as we sat in a typical kindergarten classroom. He pointed out that this classroom was the same for both white and “colored” children. The desks were sized appropriately for 5 year olds. The teacher had a desk positioned to oversee the entire classroom. There were many books, learning toys, artwork, and even a piano which required the teacher to have that musical skill to lead the children in songs. To make the classroom more “home-like” there was even a fireplace which was never used because there was a state-of-the-art heating system. Teachers even had professional degrees in education in order to teach the children. What made Topeka, Kansas unique was that their supposed “equal” status was indeed much better than other states that had obvious inequalities in their education systems.

As Dexter pointed out, the complexity of the court case was to prove that “separate but equal” was indeed not equal. What stood out for me was the study that took white and “colored” children and had them write about their impressions about two different dolls. One was a typical white doll. Another was a dark-skinned doll. As expected, white children spoke positively about attributes affiliated with the white doll. More surprising was that the “colored” students spoke much more positively about the white doll with attributes to acquire than the comments made about the dark-skinned doll. Value was placed more upon the white doll than the other. Also, the segregation included that black teachers would NOT be teaching white students and much fewer white teachers taught “colored” classrooms.

Dexter then divided the classroom into one side being white and the other “colored”. With simple building blocks that are used in any kindergarten classroom, Dexter presented the “white” side their blocks with great acclamation and praise and thanks. When he presented the “colored” side with their blocks, he dropped them on the floor instead of handing them out to each person. He even emphasized the action by kicking the blocks around with comments like, “you are getting the same as everyone else.”

When asking the youth what was the difference, they immediately responded “I felt disrespected. My block felt less worthy. Our blocks had no value.” The lesson in the room was made. Hence, the reasoning from the Supreme Court that “separate but equal” was NOT constitutional. This ruling laid the ground-work for further civil rights legislation that has guided our inclusiveness as an American society. The experience for all in the room went from “book” learning to “real life” significance as to the importance of this ruling for ALL people.