News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 17, 2004
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Gov. Gary Locke’s Statement on 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education Decision

Gov. Gary Locke today issued the following statement regarding the 50th anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision by the U.S. Supreme Court:

“Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka is obviously one of the most important U.S. Supreme Court decisions of the 20th century. The decision has served as the foundation for protection against institutionalized racism in public schools. Its significance as a turning point in America runs even deeper.

“Brown recognized the complexity of racism and the profoundly permanent effects of segregation on minority students – what Thurgood Marshall referred to as the ‘badge of inferiority.’

“Brown also attacked a pernicious, cowardly and inhumane practice – the physical separation of a segment of our society solely because of race. This same mentality led to the internment of the Japanese during World War II, and can be found elsewhere in our history.

“The Brown decision elevated public debate on the harms of segregation, and arguably forced a more responsible view of past mistakes and what we can learn from them.

“We have continued to struggle as a nation in battling discrimination since Brown. One of today’s most prominent inequalities in education is the wide disparity in achievement between low-income minority students and white students.

“The battles have changed since Brown, but the stakes are the same and they are very high. Equality in public education is a birthright. Opportunity to achieve is a fundamental part of that right. Continuing our efforts to close this achievement gap is a fundamental duty associated with that same right.

“Just as Brown made historic progress 50 years ago, today we have an important opportunity – and a moral responsibility – to advance the cause of equality in our schools. Brown is a lasting testament to the power of justice and individual responsibility in a democracy.”


» Return to this month's News Releases
» View News Release Archive

Access Washington