By Natalie Smith
In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's monumental decision in Brown v. Board of Education, an Ohio University Steering Committee has been established to coordinate activities in commemoration of the event. The landmark decision, disclosed on May 17, 1954, declared school segregation a violation of the 14th Amendment and therefore unconstitutional by law.
The Brown v. Board Steering Committee, comprising various University faculty members, was assembled fall quarter specifically to explore ways to celebrate the milestone case.
"Plans are to have a variety of different events which would raise awareness about this landmark decision, which had a major impact on the integration of educational opportunities in the United States," says Yegan Pillay, assistant director of institutional equity and member of the Brown v. Board Steering Committee.
The committee is planning to organize multiple activities that would include conferences, speakers and debates. Preparation is also under way to host a series of events on May 17, marking the exact day of the Brown v. Board decision. The committee hopes to incorporate activities within classrooms and other University locations in order to spread awareness about the historic case to the current generation.
"The idea is also to have faculty recognize the Brown v. Board decision and include some of this in the classes that they will be teaching here in that week," Pillay says.
For more information about the University Steering Committee and the Brown v. Board of Education case visit www.ohiou.edu/brownvboard/.
Natalie Smith is a student writer for University Communications and Marketing.
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