Desegregated public schools in New Orleans
Encyclopedia
Public schools in New Orleans, Louisiana
, were desegregated to a significant degree for a period of almost seven years during the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War of the United States. Desegregation
of this scale was not seen again in the Southern United States
until after the 1954 federal court ruling Brown v. Board of Education
established that segregated facilities were unconstitutional.
The 1867 Louisiana constitution, with its provision that racial segregation
was no longer to be permitted in public facilities, marked the beginning of three years of legal wrangling and evasion
by whites resistant to the idea of integrated schools. A court decision on school desegregation in December 1870 was acknowledged by organizer's on both sides of the issue to be a decisive one, and integration of New Orleans's public schools began in earnest in 1870.
Although initially there was much vocal white opposition to integrated schools, and the mass media
predicted the collapse of the public school system in New Orleans, ultimately, enrollment increased and the performance of both black and white students improved in desegregated schools during the brief period when these institutions were allowed to flourish. At the height of the trend, approximately one-third of public schools in New Orleans were desegregated to a significant degree, and these schools were the top-performing schools in their districts.
There continued to be white opposition to the idea of desegregated schools despite their success. Opponents of interracial cooperation used varied tactics, from newspaper editorial
s to political posturing to violence
, in order to express their point of view. In mid-1874, a congressional civil rights
bill removed from the constitution the clause pertaining to desegregated schools, thus weakening the position of New Orleans's burgeoning desegregated public school system.
The Louisiana constitution
was rewritten in 1879 to once again allow for segregated public institutions. In 1898, another change banned desegregated public facilities altogether.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, were desegregated to a significant degree for a period of almost seven years during the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War of the United States. Desegregation
Desegregation
Desegregation is the process of ending the separation of two groups usually referring to races. This is most commonly used in reference to the United States. Desegregation was long a focus of the American Civil Rights Movement, both before and after the United States Supreme Court's decision in...
of this scale was not seen again in the Southern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
until after the 1954 federal court ruling Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 , was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The decision overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 which...
established that segregated facilities were unconstitutional.
The 1867 Louisiana constitution, with its provision that racial segregation
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
was no longer to be permitted in public facilities, marked the beginning of three years of legal wrangling and evasion
Evasion
Evasion may refer to:*Évasion, a Canadian French-language travel and adventure television channel*Evasion , a deceptive act*Evasion , to avoid government mandate through specious means...
by whites resistant to the idea of integrated schools. A court decision on school desegregation in December 1870 was acknowledged by organizer's on both sides of the issue to be a decisive one, and integration of New Orleans's public schools began in earnest in 1870.
Although initially there was much vocal white opposition to integrated schools, and the mass media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
predicted the collapse of the public school system in New Orleans, ultimately, enrollment increased and the performance of both black and white students improved in desegregated schools during the brief period when these institutions were allowed to flourish. At the height of the trend, approximately one-third of public schools in New Orleans were desegregated to a significant degree, and these schools were the top-performing schools in their districts.
There continued to be white opposition to the idea of desegregated schools despite their success. Opponents of interracial cooperation used varied tactics, from newspaper editorial
Editorial
An opinion piece is an article, published in a newspaper or magazine, that mainly reflects the author's opinion about the subject. Opinion pieces are featured in many periodicals.-Editorials:...
s to political posturing to violence
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
, in order to express their point of view. In mid-1874, a congressional civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
bill removed from the constitution the clause pertaining to desegregated schools, thus weakening the position of New Orleans's burgeoning desegregated public school system.
The Louisiana constitution
Louisiana Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Louisiana is the cornerstone of Louisiana state law ensuring the rights of individuals, describing the distribution and power of state officials and local government, establishes the state and city civil service systems, creates and defines the operation of a state...
was rewritten in 1879 to once again allow for segregated public institutions. In 1898, another change banned desegregated public facilities altogether.