VOLUNTARY SCHOOL INTEGRATION UNDER THREAT
The United States U.S. Supreme Court on December 4, 2006, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases that could forseeably threaten the ability of schools, school districts, and local communities to pursue innovative measures toward greater integration. In short, the cases before the court will decide whether or not voluntary integration measures undertaken by the Seattle, WA and Louisville, KY school districts are consistent with the goals of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. It goes with out saying that decisions in these cases will have important implications for the spirit of Brown v. Board of Education, and for American democracy.
Some fifty-two years ago, the Supreme Court made clear that integration was central and critical to open and high quality education for all. Despite this valiant and forward-thinking position taken by the court, our nation has seen numerous challenges to its 1954 decision over the years. In fact, the Seattle and Louisville cases are the latest in the pattern of attacks on Brown v. Board in particular and civil rights in general.
The voluntary integration plans implemented by the school districts in Seattle and Louisville are indicative of a sincere desire of well-meaning individuals who want the best for their children, their community, and their nation. There is no higher demonstration of civic responsibility in the spirit of the true promise of this nation. If Seattle, Louisville, and the many, many other communities around the country are able to foster a reality where people learn to coexist in a mutually respectful and supportive fashion, they will effectively move America even closer to becoming a more perfect union.
The Supreme Court of the United States now has before it the option of protecting voluntary school integration or ending it.
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