Understanding 'Brown' in the Context of Inclusive Education

May 17, 2024, marks the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, one of the most significant Supreme Court decisions and a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement. We must, however, resist the simplified narrative of the end of segregation and teach a more comprehensive story that includes analyzing Brown’s complex impact, the opposition to desegregation, and the ongoing movement for inclusive education.

Our newest article puts the Brown decision into context and encourages connections to current justice challenges in education—including the political attempts to censor Black history, erase LGBTQ+ representation and limit information that supports diversity and equity in curricula and in public spaces. A toolkit adapted from our Teaching the Civil Rights Movement framework provides strategies and  resources for learning about the significance and relevance of Brown today.