Brown v. Board of Education at 50
By Joan Stone

"We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." (Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).)

On May 17, 1954, a unanimous United States Supreme Court under the guidance of Chief Justice Earl Warren issued its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education. The photo on the front cover of the magazine exemplifies the significance of that moment.

The story of Brown v. Board of Education and its legacy raise a host of issues concerning American law and society. Encouraged by the American Bar Association and the State Bar of California, SCBA is a major participant in a number of endeavors to explore the issues and educate the public. Already this year we have played a major role in the Martin Luther King community celebration in January and co-sponsored the Center for Youth Citizenship Brown v. Board-inspired event in April.

Sacramento has been recognized as one of the most diverse cities in the country. Civil rights and the role of lawyers in protecting and furthering those rights become particularly challenging when faced with the ethnic, religious and linguistic mix that is Sacramento. I am proud that members of our local bench and bar endeavor to meet that challenge every day.

It seems particularly appropriate that Chief Justice Ronald M. George and the Judicial Council have chosen the Sacramento Convention Center as the location for a statewide educational symposium and luncheon to mark the anniversary of the Brown decision on Monday, May 17, 2004. The Chief Justice and Juan Williams, Fox and NPR senior news correspondent, are the keynote luncheon speakers.

SCBA is proud to host a reception in the Library & Courts II Building, 900 N Street following the symposium. Dignitaries from the Supreme Court, the legislature, local government, state and local bar associations and the courts will be present. We have asked local and statewide elected officials to present resolutions and commendations at the reception.

The Brown decision was the result of a decades-long struggle to end segregation led by a group of committed African-American lawyers working individually and through the NAACP's legal defense fund - the most famous being Thurgood Marshall. Although the story played out in the segregated south, we have a really strong local connection to the events of the time. This issue of the magazine contains stories about the impact of Brown. The efforts to end segregation by lawyers enhance the reputation of lawyers everywhere. I encourage you all to make use of this great opportunity to let the community know that lawyers really do make a difference.