Brown v Board of Education-What I Learned

             For this week's Mock Trial, my classmates used this case as our topic. Both sides argued for their defendant as they provided the class with some back story on the case.

In the town of Topeka, Kansas in 1954, a man named Oliver Brown filed a class-action lawsuit against the Board of Education after his daughter named Linda Brown, was denied entrance to the all white elementary schools. Oliver Brown is challenging the court for not protecting his daughter under the "separate but equal clause". 

Brown's side made a number of arguments, one of them being that segregation in school systems should be deemed as unconstitutional. While the Board of Education had a rebuttal that students of color may feel they are disadvantaged when sitting beside a white student who has had access to the amenities of a school system that is intended for whites. Browns defendant pulled lines from the constitution, and challenged them, asking why Lydia Brown was not given equal rights if our country was built upon the principle that states all men were created equally. Brown's side also challenged the idea that the Board of Education was violating the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment which prevents government discrimination based on race and gender. 

The Board of Education made a variety of arguments one being that allowing black children into white public schools would impact our economy poorly as tax payer would not and should not have to pay for amenities that would provide black children with keys to succeed. Another argument the made by the Board's side was white children being incapable of success on the grounds that integration occurs. The Board of Education's side fought that white students will only be able to succeed if they are surrounded by students that look like them. The sight of an integrated school system would confuse white students, putting a plateau in their progress and preventing them from progressing further. The board's side felt there is a greater opportunity for success of both races if they continue with a segregated system. Another argument made on the board's side was that black children only need fundamentals to succeed while white students need all amenities possible to succeed. The idea of black students not being deserving of attending school with white students was a common idea for the side of the Board of Education.

While both sides did an exceptional job at fighting their side, the consensus was the side defending Brown had a stronger argument. It was a difficult decision because the class felt both sides held their ground very well however, Browns side had more references whether they were form the Constitution, Amendments, or previous laws passed that had been violated. The Board of Education did an exceptional job at fighting a difficult side however, it was more emotion based argument while Brown's side was more fact based. Both sides made strong arguments for their side and left the class very impressed with the preparation and dedication to the roles for this task.