The Anxieties of Citizenship Since Brown v. Board of Education: A Long Tail Exploration

The landmark Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 was a watershed moment in the history of civil rights in the United States. It ruled that racial segregation of public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the Court's previous decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896),which had established the "separate but equal" doctrine.

Talking to Strangers: Anxieties of Citizenship since Brown v. Board of Education

by Danielle S. Allen

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1694 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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Brown v. Board of Education was a major victory for the civil rights movement, but it also sparked a backlash among white Americans who feared that desegregation would lead to a decline in the quality of education and a loss of white privilege. These fears were fueled by a long history of racial inequality and discrimination in the United States.

The anxieties of citizenship that emerged in the wake of Brown v. Board of Education have continued to shape American society in profound ways. These anxieties are rooted in the tension between the ideals of equality and freedom on which the United States was founded and the reality of racial inequality and discrimination that has persisted throughout its history.

Historical Context

The anxieties of citizenship in the United States have their roots in the country's history of slavery and racial discrimination. From the very beginning, the United States was a nation divided by race. White Americans enjoyed the full rights and privileges of citizenship, while black Americans were denied these rights on the basis of their race.

The Civil War and the Reconstruction era saw some progress towards racial equality, but these gains were soon reversed by the rise of Jim Crow laws in the late 19th century. Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in all aspects of life, from schools and transportation to housing and employment.

The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s challenged Jim Crow laws and made significant progress towards racial equality. However, the movement also sparked a backlash among white Americans who feared that desegregation would lead to a decline in the quality of life and a loss of white privilege.

Social Context

The anxieties of citizenship that emerged in the wake of Brown v. Board of Education were shaped by a number of social factors. These factors included:

• White flight: In the years following Brown v. Board of Education, many white families moved out of cities to the suburbs in order to avoid sending their children to desegregated schools.
• Racial resentment: Many white Americans resented the civil rights movement and its goals of racial equality. This resentment was often expressed through violence and intimidation against black Americans.
• Affirmative action: In the 1960s and 1970s, the government began to implement affirmative action programs in order to address the legacy of racial discrimination. These programs were designed to give black Americans a leg up in education and employment. However, affirmative action was also controversial, and many white Americans saw it as a form of reverse discrimination.

Legal Context

The anxieties of citizenship that emerged in the wake of Brown v. Board of Education were also shaped by a number of legal factors. These factors included:

• The Supreme Court's retreat from desegregation: In the years following Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court gradually retreated from its commitment to desegregation. This retreat was due in part to the Court's changing composition and in part to the growing backlash against the civil rights movement.
• The rise of colorblindness: In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a growing movement to promote colorblindness, the idea that race should not be taken into account in law or policy. Colorblindness was seen as a way to overcome the legacy of racial discrimination. However, it was also criticized for ignoring the reality of racial inequality.
• The Supreme Court's recent decisions on affirmative action: In recent years, the Supreme Court has issued a number of decisions that have limited the use of affirmative action in education and employment. These decisions have been controversial, and they have reignited the debate about the role of race in American society.

The anxieties of citizenship that emerged in the wake of Brown v. Board of Education continue to shape American society in profound ways. These anxieties are rooted in the tension between the ideals of equality and freedom on which the United States was founded and the reality of racial inequality and discrimination that has persisted throughout its history.

The challenges of citizenship in the 21st century are complex and multifaceted. They include the challenges of racial inequality, discrimination, and the rise of colorblindness. They also include the challenges of globalization, immigration, and the changing nature of work.

As the United States grapples with these challenges, it is important to remember the lessons of Brown v. Board of Education. Brown v. Board of Education taught us that racial equality is not just a matter of law, but also a matter of heart. It taught us that we must all work together to create a more just and equitable society.

Talking to Strangers: Anxieties of Citizenship since Brown v. Board of Education

by Danielle S. Allen

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1694 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE