Meeting Mrs. Brown

I'm spending the week at the University of Kansas attending a seminar hosted by the Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History on the Civil Rights Movement, in particular the Brown vs. the Board of Education decision. I'm hoping to write a few times over the course of the seminar to share my thoughts on history, teaching and the fact that it's 106 degrees outside (apparently Lawrence, KS is located on the surface of the sun.)

As a history teacher, I am constantly reminded that the use of primary sources is the best way to enhance lessons and activities. While the use of documents and political cartoons is excellent, today I had the chance to work with the best primary source there is: a person who lived through the event.

Today our group had the chance to meet with Leota Brown Montgomery, the wife of Oliver Brown and mother of Linda Brown. The Browns, along with other families from both Kansas and around the country, fought for their children to have equal access to education in a case that was argued at the Supreme Court. While the landmark decision did not necessarily end segregation in our schools, it did give students of color the same educational opportunities afforded to white children. Hearing Mrs. Brown Montgomery talk about her life in Topeka and her family's experiences during the case that bears their name was amazing and is an experience I am looking forward to sharing with my students next year.

In addition to sharing stories of the Brown case, Mrs. Brown Montgomery provided much more. She is a living reminder that, although our country has made great strides in regards to race and equality, we still have many citizens who lived through the difficulties and struggles that made up so much of the African American experience in the 20th century.  These individuals help us remember that we aren't all that far removed from a time where American citizens were discriminated against because of the color of their skin. Since 2008 we have heard how far we have come because we have a black president. While this is true, we are also only 60 years (a blink of the eye time wise) removed from a time where parents had to send their children to schools far from home because of their race.