Brown vs. Board of Education is under attack, and the newly appointed conservative members of the court are making diversity a dirty word. Democratic leaders in Congress, especially members of the Black Caucus, were hoping mad over the Supreme Court decision that essentially derailed the enforcement of Brown vs. Board of Education. 

 The Supreme Court Justices of the United States

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Carolyn Kilpatrick [(D-Mich.) pictured below: right] told me  “this heinous ruling not only topples more than half a century of progress achieved under the Brown v. the Topeka, Kansas Board of Education decision, it encourages separation and segregation in private industry and government as well as in education.’’ She pointed to the dissenting remarks by Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer who warned that  “this is a decision that the Court and the Nation will come to regret.”  Kilpatrick said the  Congressional Black Caucus will continue to fight for quality education for all children; will confront the crises posed to us by the Supreme Court ruling, and will continue the legacy established by NAACP attorney and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to ensure that all American children attend and receive a quality education.” 

Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings (D) (pictured below) agreed. He said“today’s school integration ruling was a major setback for this nation’s movement toward diversity.”  “Since the Brown decision, increased integration of schools has benefited students of all backgrounds. Research shows that a diverse learning environment improves the problem solving and communication skills of all students, which better prepares our nation to succeed in the global economy.” 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she is “extremely disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision overriding the efforts of local communities to grapple with the complex issue of diversity in our schools.  This decision is a retreat from our nation’s commitment to opportunity and equality in our schools and a retreat from the fundamental values of our country.”Leading Democratic presidential candidates  Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama said they would do better if elected in appointing judges who have a commitment to civil rights.

 Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said “this wrong-headed ruling underscores the critical importance of a president’s appointments to the Supreme Court and a Justice Department’s commitment to civil rights enforcement.   “I filed a brief in these cases, along with several of my colleagues in the Senate, which explained to the Court that a racially diverse learning environment has a profoundly positive educational impact on all students, and I remain devoted to working toward this goal.  The Congress has the constitutional power and responsibility to address the resegregation of our schools, and I am committed to using that authority.” Sen. Hillary Clinton, (D-N.Y.) said, “Once again, the [John] Roberts (pictured right) Court has shown its willingness to erode core constitutional guarantees. It is a set back for all of us who are on the long march toward racial equality and the building of a stronger more unified America. As president, I will fight to restore Brown’s promise and create an education system where all children have an equal chance to learn and excel together.”

 – Pamela Gentry, Blogging from Capitol Hill

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