This Civil War-Era Law Could Actually Help Today’s Black Students

lady justice statue
Leslie Taylor-Grover
December 14, 2021

Regardless of what the law says, Black children still aren’t treated fairly in public schools. This is true in Mississippi – in fact, the disparities between Black and white schools is so glaring that a group of Black mothers decided to sue! 

But that’s not the most surprising part of this story.

This group of committed parents has been fighting since 2017. Time after time, they’ve been rejected, threatened, and even dismissed by the courts. But they’re still fighting – and the case is headed to Mississippi’s Supreme Court!

But now, there’s a loophole that may very well end the case in their favor.

Each time Mississippi parents have fought to improve schools for Black children, the state has changed laws to avoid responsibility. And each time, the state has won. 

But there’s something state leaders forgot.

Before Mississippi was allowed to rejoin the nation after the Civil War, it swore to provide equal education to all children. The lawsuit alleges that the state has broken its duty as a state and as part of the U.S.!

Politicians in Mississippi have deliberately tried to hurt Black children through the education system. Though the case is still being decided, these parents have demonstrated an important lesson: education for our children will only improve when we take control and advocate for educational justice!

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