Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Life before segregation was outlawed.

Imagine… if you were not allowed to live where you want. if you were not allowed to live where you want. if you were not allowed to go where you want. if you were not allowed to go where you want. if you were afraid of being killed by people in your own town. if you were afraid of being killed by people in your own town. if people made fun of you and thought you were a fool. if people made fun of you and thought you were a fool. if people attacked you when you said what you thought. if people attacked you when you said what you thought. if people would not let you vote. if people would not let you vote. if you were considered less of a person. if you were considered less of a person.

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka It was a U.S. Supreme Court Decision that changed America forever. It was a U.S. Supreme Court Decision that changed America forever. It happened 50 years ago. It happened 50 years ago. It made segregation based on race illegal. It made segregation based on race illegal. It said that all children, no matter what their race, could go to their neighborhood school. It said that all children, no matter what their race, could go to their neighborhood school.

Separate but Equal Plessy v. Ferguson was a Louisiana court case that went all the way to the Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson was a Louisiana court case that went all the way to the Supreme Court in The Court said that segregation by race was legal. The Court said that segregation by race was legal. It said that blacks and whites could be separate as long as the facilities were the same. It started the idea of Separate but Equal. It said that blacks and whites could be separate as long as the facilities were the same. It started the idea of Separate but Equal. It made blacks and other minorities second class citizens. It made blacks and other minorities second class citizens. Blacks did not have the rights and the freedoms that whites had and that you have today. Blacks did not have the rights and the freedoms that whites had and that you have today.

Separate but Equal This picture shows how blacks were forced to sit in different places in movie theaters and restaurants. This picture shows how blacks were forced to sit in different places in movie theaters and restaurants. Blacks hated this, but they were forced to do it by state and city governments. Blacks hated this, but they were forced to do it by state and city governments.

Separate but Equal Blacks were forced to sit in different parts of bus and train stations. Blacks were forced to sit in different parts of bus and train stations. They were forced to get on last and ride in the back of the bus. They were forced to get on last and ride in the back of the bus. They were forced to ride in different train cars. They were forced to ride in different train cars.

Blacks and whites were kept separate in… Homes: Blacks could not buy houses in white neighborhoods. Homes: Blacks could not buy houses in white neighborhoods. Jobs: Blacks could not get many jobs that whites could get. Jobs: Blacks could not get many jobs that whites could get. Buses and trains. Buses and trains. Courts: Blacks could not serve on juries. Courts: Blacks could not serve on juries. Movie theaters. Movie theaters. Restaurants: Many places would serve blacks in the back or would not serve blacks at all. Restaurants: Many places would serve blacks in the back or would not serve blacks at all. Schools and universities. Schools and universities. Marriages: Blacks and whites could not marry. Marriages: Blacks and whites could not marry. Hospitals: Black babies were not born in the same hospitals as white babies. Hospitals: Black babies were not born in the same hospitals as white babies. Graveyards Graveyards

That does not make any sense!!! What about civil rights? Civil rights means everyone who is a citizen deserves the same rights. Dont blacks and whites have the same rights? What about civil rights? Civil rights means everyone who is a citizen deserves the same rights. Dont blacks and whites have the same rights? The 14 th Amendment says Equal protection. The 14 th Amendment says Equal protection. Separate but Equal would give blacks equality, right? Separate but Equal would give blacks equality, right? Blacks might be separate, but doesnt the equal part mean they have the same rights and opportunities as whites? Blacks might be separate, but doesnt the equal part mean they have the same rights and opportunities as whites?

Wrong! Separate was fine with segregationists. Segregationists were not interested in letting blacks have the Equal part.

Separate but NOT Equal was the reality in the lives of blacks.

Segregationists fought against equal rights for blacks. The Ku Klux Klan was established in 1867 to scare blacks into not voting or running for public office. The Ku Klux Klan was established in 1867 to scare blacks into not voting or running for public office. They used violence and intimidation to stop blacks from voting and gaining equality. They used violence and intimidation to stop blacks from voting and gaining equality.

Jim Crow Laws White leaders in state and city government made laws that separated whites and blacks. White leaders in state and city government made laws that separated whites and blacks. These laws, called Jim Crow Laws, were made to keep blacks as second class citizens. These laws, called Jim Crow Laws, were made to keep blacks as second class citizens. Jim Crow was a character in theater who was foolish and stupid. Calling someone Jim Crow was an insult. Jim Crow was a character in theater who was foolish and stupid. Calling someone Jim Crow was an insult. Here is a picture of the Jim Crow character. See how he looks silly and ridiculous. Here is a picture of the Jim Crow character. See how he looks silly and ridiculous.

Separate but NOT Equal Separate but Equal was the law, but many cities and states did not listen. Separate but Equal was the law, but many cities and states did not listen. This is an example of a restaurant that blacks had to eat in. This is an example of a restaurant that blacks had to eat in. Whites had a cleaner, newer restaurant in another part of town. Whites had a cleaner, newer restaurant in another part of town.

Discussion and Journal Questions What emotions do you think this man is feeling? What emotions do you think this man is feeling? What does this man think about segregation? What does this man think about segregation? What would you do if you were him? What would you do if you were him?

Discussion and Journal Questions Why do you think segregationists tried so hard to keep blacks as second class citizens? Why do you think segregationists tried so hard to keep blacks as second class citizens? What could change their minds and show them that segregation and racism is wrong? What could change their minds and show them that segregation and racism is wrong?

Discussion and Journal Questions Imagine you were a black person in Imagine you were a black person in How would you fight against segregation? How would you fight against segregation? What could you do to help your community? What could you do to help your community? Why would the education of your children be so important to you? Why would the education of your children be so important to you?