The University of Memphis today celebrates the 50-yearanniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Courtdecision with a lecture by Columbia University President LeeBollinger.
In Brown v. Board, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruledgovernment-imposed racial segregation in public schools was aviolation of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protectionto all citizens.
Brown v. Board "declared the 'separate but equal' doctrine to beunconstitutional and closed the book on a chapter of profoundinjustice in our nation's education system," said Bollinger in astatement.
In 1950, a 7-year-old girl in Topeka, Kan., was not allowedadmission to an all-white elementary school because she wasblack.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored PeopleLegal Defense and Education Fund, which was founded and lead byThurgood Marshal, who went on to become a Supreme Court Justice,intervened and campaigned to desegregate public schools.
Four years later, on May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled thedoctrine of separate but equal had no place in public schools.
"Brown is the root of the (anti-discrimination) law that hasdeveloped since then," said Barbara Kritchevsky, Cecil C. Humphreysassociate dean and professor of law. "Brown is the starting point,"and is enormous because of the basic principles of equality it setup, she said.
Bollinger will speak today at 4 p.m. in the Fogelman ExecutiveCenter, Room 136.
Also speaking today is Elbert Howard, a founding member of theBlack Panther Party.
The former Black Panther will try to clear up commonmisconceptions about the party. Students will have an opportunityto ask questions, said Katrina Heard, minority affairscoordinator.
"It will be awesome to hear about (Howard's) connection with theBlack Panther Party," said Shanea Gethers, co-chair for the BlackHistory Month committee that invited Howard.
The free lecture will be at 1 p.m. in the Faulkner Lounge of theUniversity Center.
