ABSTRACT
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, is the landmark Supreme Court decision that shaped the fight for equality and equity in all areas of life in the United States during the second half of the 20th century. The initial effect of the decision was to desegregate schools in an attempt to end racial discrimination in education. Its subsequent effects were to end racial segregation in transportation, housing, dining, employment, and all other aspects of American life. It was the legal backbone of the civil rights movement, which worked toward racial integration and ending racial discrimination. In addition to its impact on race relations in the United States, the Brown decision is the foundation upon which legislation for persons with disabilities and students with special needs have been based. The Brown decision is often viewed as a monolithic moment in time. However, the decision was the result of many years of build-up and hard work to create the social and legal climate that allowed for such a decision to be made.
