School Desegregation – Object #3 – Arkansas Primary Source Sets

Earl Warren’s reading copy of Brown opinion

<p>Chief Justice Earl Warren’s reading copy of Brown is annotated in his hand. Warren announced the opinion in the names of each justice, an unprecedented occurrence. The drama was heightened by the widespread prediction that the Court would be divided on the issue. Warren reminded himself to emphasize the decision’s unanimity with a marginal notation, “unanimously,” which departed from the printed reading copy to declare, “Therefore, we unanimously hold. . . .” In his memoirs, Warren recalled the moment with genuine warmth. “When the word ‘unanimously’ was spoken, a wave of emotion swept the room; no words or intentional movement, yet a distinct emotional manifestation that defies description.” “Unanimously” was not incorporated into the published version of the opinion, and thus exists only in this manuscript.</p>

Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren’s reading copy of the unanimous Brown vs Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas decision, 1954, is annotated in his handwriting.

Excerpts

“We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of “separate but equal” has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. Therefore, we hold that the plaintiffs and others similarly situated for whom the actions have been brought, are, by reason of the segregation complained of, deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.”

Questions:

What did the Supreme Court decide in the Brown vs. Board of Education decision?

According to the Supreme Court justices, what part of the constitution did school segregation violate?

How does Chief Justice Earl Warren’s handwriting on this document let you know what was important to him about this decision?

Citations

Earl Warren’s reading copy of Brown opinion, May 17, 1954. Earl Warren Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress (83).