President Joe Biden marked the 70th anniversary of the landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling, Brown v. Board of Education, emphasizing that the decision was not just about race in education but about the promise of America being inclusive for all to succeed. Speaking at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, Biden highlighted the importance of providing equal opportunities for everyone, stating that education is intricately linked to freedom.
The Brown v. Board of Education case, originating in Topeka, Kansas, declared the segregation of students by race in schools as unconstitutional. While acknowledging progress since the ruling, Biden stressed that more work remains to be done and cautioned against efforts by former President Donald Trump and his supporters to reverse the advancements made in racial equity.
As part of his administration's renewed focus on racial equity and engaging Black voters, Biden has been actively reaching out to the Black community. He recently met with plaintiffs from the Brown case and conducted Black radio interviews in Atlanta and Milwaukee. Additionally, he plans to deliver the commencement speech at Morehouse College, an HBCU, on Sunday.
Recognizing the importance of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Biden highlighted his administration's investments, including $16 billion in HBCUs, $160 billion in student loan forgiveness, and $50 million for teacher diversity initiatives. He underscored the ongoing need for progress while cautioning against attempts to undermine fundamental freedoms such as voting rights.
Biden expressed concern over the re-segregation of American schools despite increasing diversity in the country. He pointed out that a significant number of Black and Hispanic students still attend schools where the majority of their classmates are students of color.
Amid efforts to strengthen support within the Black community, Biden's approval ratings among Black adults have seen a decline, prompting him to reaffirm his commitment to advancing racial equity and combating historical revisionism.
