Civil Rights and Education Groups Commemorate 60th Anniversary of Brown v. Board Of Education and Ask “How Far Have We Really Come?”
This week, civil rights and education groups joined together to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the pivotal Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision that ended legal segregation in America’s public schools. Ten groups signed on to a full-page print ad placed in the New York Times that poses the question “How Far Have We Really Come?” in achieving educational equity, excellence and empowerment for all children.
The organizations featured in the ad include the National Urban League, National Action Network, National Council of La Raza, NAACP, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Campaign for High School Equity, Alliance for Excellent Education, The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, NALEO Educational Fund and National Indian Education Association.
In the ad, the organizations issue a call-to-action to the nation to “Fulfill the Promise” of the landmark decision by supporting equitable implementation of the Common Core State Standards and quote former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren’s opinion from May 17, 1954:
“Today, education is perhaps the most important function of state and local governments…It is the very foundation of good citizenship. Today it is a principal instrument in awakening the child to cultural values, in preparing him for later professional training, and in helping him to adjust normally to his environment. 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…a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.”
A web-based version of the ad was also developed for social media and includes the aforementioned organizations as well as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF).
Additionally, nine national civil rights and education organizations to date have signed on to the following joint statement of support for the Common Core State Standards and equitable implementation as a critical step in the continuing fight for equity in education.
The National Coalition and Black Women’s Roundtable also supports the responsible implementation of the Common Core State Standards that set high expectations, advance education equity, and help prepare all students in our community for success after graduation. We also hereby sign on to the Common Core statement of support.
For the full joint statement visit ncbcp.org
