Brown v. Board of Education

May 17 will mark the 50th anniversary of the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in the five collective cases known as Brown v. Board of Education. The unanimous opinion declared the doctrine of “separate but equal” to be unconstitutional. By any measure, Brown is one of the most important legal and cultural decisions in United States history.

As co-chairs of the Syracuse University Brown 50th Anniversary Committee, we invite you to participate in the commemoration of this important event as we consider the legacy and continuing challenges of Brown and its meaning in all of our lives

On Friday, April 16, Syracuse University will host a daylong program, “Brown Through the Ages: A 50-Year Commemoration of Brown v. Board of Education.” The program, which will be held in Hendricks Chapel, will include panel discussions on the cross-disciplinary significance of Brown, and shared reflections on the lived experience of the decision. The day will culminate with a keynote address by sisters Cheryl Brown Henderson and Linda Brown Thompson, the named plaintiffs in the Brown case.

We will further demonstrate our commitment to the principles underlying Brown through a community service activity at the Southwest Community Center on Saturday, April 17.

Both events are free and open to members of the campus and local community. We hope that all will acknowledge the significance of Brown by participating in this commemorative program.

Paula C. Johnson
Professor
The College of Law

Rebecca G. Levin
Graduate student, public administration
The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

Francis McMillan Parks
Director of Students Offering Service
and of African American Programs Hendricks Chapel