Before I even begin, I’m going to be upfront with you. I’m very passionate about education, including knowing your history.
This past week in the United States, you and I celebrated the 69th anniversary of a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme that probably went unnoticed.
It was the “Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka landmark 1954 Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional.
Brown v. Board of Education was one of the cornerstones of the civil rights movement and helped establish the precedent that “separate-but-equal” education and other services were not, in fact, equal at all.
Brown v. Board of Education: Summary, Ruling & Impact | HISTORY
Today education remains controversial.
Opinion: America’s education system is in need of dramatic reform | CNN
I’m not sure about how you feel about education; however, as one with a master’s in education, I feel strongly about the future of our children.
During the pandemic, I felt terrible when my youngest grandson didn’t get the total exposure of his senior year and the other students that followed years later.
Having been fortunate to attend public schools in the North and Midwest and then transition to Virginia, the Piedmont, and the Tidewater area, I fully appreciate the education, I have received.
As an adult, I’ve attended schools in Boston, MA (MIT Sloan School of Management and Harvard), Charlottesville, VA, and (Darden Business School).
I have my bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and my masters from Troy State University. (In August 2005, Troy State University, Montgomery; Troy State University, Phenix City; Troy State University, Dothan; and Troy State University (main campus) all merged under one accreditation to become Troy University.)
I also have 51 Hours under Troy University toward a second master’s.
I tell you this not to impress you but to impress upon you that higher education has allowed me to strengthen my mind and go places others have not been.
When we stop learning, we stop teaching.
When We Stop Learning, We Stop Teaching – Cognia
I remember watching both my grandsons grow up and sitting at the kitchen table with them doing their homework. I knew what they were learning in school, and I challenged them to be even better.
Today, various schools have awards geared toward academics; those that enjoy school and have strong support get these awards.
That is just my opinion.
I often get teased about spelling in my house. It’s not because I have a master’s degree, but because I’m expected to know how to spell.
I’m grateful I learned to sound out words when I needed it most years ago.
Today, politicians continue to use education as a platform for their elections.
Republicans see education as winning issue in 2024 | The Hill
“Gov. Youngkin put education on the map for Republicans,” said one GOP strategist. “He was the first Republican candidate to have education be a central part of his campaign platform and win.”
Because I graduated high school in Virginia, I know from experience what I learned and didn’t learn, and what others should have learned.
Not to mention how Critical Race Theory (CRT) has played a role in Gov. Youngkin’s election in November 2021.
Did critical race theory really give Youngkin the Virginia governor election win? – Vox
Today, I see whether you see it as an issue or not depending on what side of the aisle you belong to, that only one side will support it. It’s my belief the term bipartisan-” involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other’s policies” is nonexistent.
As an educator, and a lifelong learner, I’m concerned with how recent events tied to education over the past decade have caused so much change.
25 Ways American Education Has Changed in the Last Decade | Stacker
Today, I take solace in knowing my opportunities were not wasted. I can only pray that our future generation will look beyond the political arena and work towards a bipartisan agreement on the education of our future generation.
There is a history lesson here when I think about what we don’t hear, such as “Brown V. Board of Education II.”
That’s right Brown V. Board of Education II which you probably didn’t learn in school.
In May 1955, the Court issued a second opinion in the case (Brown v. Board of Education II), which remanded future desegregation cases to lower federal courts and directed district courts and school boards to proceed with desegregation “with all deliberate speed.”
Brown v. Board of Education: Summary, Ruling & Impact | HISTORY
Brown v. Board of Education (II) | Case Brief for Law Students | Casebriefs
Perma | Brown v. Board of Education | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
Therefore, I will never forget that May 17, 1954, was a game changer in America. I believe you should too!
Those three words “separate but equal” continued to exist for more than half a century regarding the landmark decision 1896-1954 (Brown V, Board of Education).
The 14th Amendment guaranteed rights to all citizens regardless of color.
Separate was inherently unequal and unconstitutional.
Think about all those that went before us and their legacy that is forgotten by many. I often wonder if the children today realize the importance of being in school together.
I would be remised if I did not mention the Honorable and late Thurgood Marshall—perhaps best known as the first African American Supreme Court justice—played an instrumental role in promoting racial equality during the civil rights movement.
Thurgood Marshall – Movie & Education (history.com)
Some of Thurgood Marshall’s best-known quotes include:
“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.”
“To protest against injustice is the foundation of all our American democracy.”
“You do what you think is right and let the law catch up.”
“History teaches that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem too extravagant to endure.”
Today, I ask you to take it a step further and think about the education of your children and this ever-changing world we live in.
Please pay attention to what your children are learning today and how it’s shaping their world and future for tomorrow.
