United States Supreme Court Outlaws School Segregation.
FATHER DIVINE'S Response
Washington, D.C., May 17, 1954
A Rose from
The Mount of the House of the Lord
The Court swept away the doctrine followed since 1896 that equality of treatment
is accorded when the races are provided substantially equal facilities even
though these facilities be separate.
"We conclude" said the Court's opinion written by Chief Justice
Earl Warren "that in the field of public education the doctrine of 'equal
but separate' has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently
unequal."
"We come then to the question presented: Does segregation of children
in public schools solely on the basis of race even though physical facilities
and other 'tangible' factors may be equal, deprive the children of the minority
group of equal educational opportunities? We believe it does". Regarding
District of - Columbia
"In view of our decision that the Constitution prohibits the states
from maintaining racially segregated schools - it would be unthinkable that
the same Constitution would impose a lesser duty on the Federal Government.
We hold that racial segregation in public schools of the District of Columbia
is a denial of the due processes of law guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment."
Following Supreme Court decision a declaration of policy of District of Columbia
Board of Education which was adopted by a 6 to I vote.
1. No pupil shall be favored or discriminated against because of race or
color.
2. All faculty assignments and ratings shall be on a moral basis without
respect to color or racial lines.
3. No children shall be allowed for reasons of race alone, to attend schools
outside the boundaries of school zones in which they live. The zones will be
established later.
4. After this school year no records of pupils or personnel shall carry any
reference to race or color.
5. All schools shall be used with maximum efficiency regardless of race or
color.
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FATHER DIVINE'S Statement in reply to a telephone call
received in HIS office from a representative of International News Service
requesting HIS comment on the Supreme Court's Unanimous Decision
Outlawing Segregation in the Public Schools
As a Violation of the U. S. Constitution.
FATHER DIVINE in His office.
"I wish to congratulate the Supreme Court for the passage of the bill
which outlaws all segregation in the schools and cements America together under
our constitution and gives all citizens the right of franchise which is America's
protection against all subversiveness, for we do not need any of the subversive
nations or groups to interfere with democracy here in America for all of her
subjects to get equity and justice."
May 17,19 54 A.D.F.D.