Opening Arguments Brown v. Board v. Science
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Sep 2, 2025 Delve into the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case and its revolutionary impact on educational segregation. Discover how social science played a crucial role in the legal fight for racial equality. Explore the groundbreaking doll studies by K.B. and Mammy Clark that revealed the psychological effects of segregation on Black children. Hear personal anecdotes from those affected by segregation and learn about Thurgood Marshall’s strategic legal maneuvers. The discussion highlights the enduring legacy of this pivotal decision in the fight for justice.
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Plessy Built The Legal Foundation For Segregation
- Plessy v. Ferguson established 'separate but equal' and used schools as a prime example of acceptable separation. This precedent entrenched legal segregation until Brown challenged it.
Everyday Inequality In Segregated Schools
- Black schools were massively underfunded with worse facilities and fewer resources than white schools. Witness accounts included no buses, outhouses, and far less spending per pupil.
Social Science Was Strategic Evidence
- The NAACP purposely brought social science into Brown to persuade white judges with empirical evidence, not only legal argument. Social psychology offered a nonconstitutional route to show harm from segregation.
