Written by:
Saray Ramos - Director of Policy and Advocacy (MPA Candidate, Rutgers University)
Dr. Jesselly De La Cruz, LCSW, DSW - Executive Director
Over the past years, the Latino Action Network Foundation has been dedicated to raising awareness about our segregated school systems, their causes, and the ongoing lawsuit in New Jersey known as the Latino Action Network, et al. v. State of New Jersey. During the past six years, it has been brought to our attention that students, and community members are unfamiliar with landmark cases such as Brown v. Board of Education. As we approach the one-year mark since the state agreed to enter mediation with the plaintiffs’ lawyers, we would like to take a brief look at the litigation cases that have brought us to where we are today.
As such, we believe it is important to review four legal cases that set the foundation for Latino Action Network, et al. v. State of New Jersey. Cases like Mendez v. Westminster and Brown v. Board of Education marked pivotal moments in the fight for educational access and laid the groundwork for modern efforts, including our own case. Lesser-known cases, such as Hedgepeth and Williams v. The Board of Education of Trenton, further underscores New Jersey’s historic role in the national struggle for educational equity. By understanding these legacies, we acknowledge that the fight for educational equity is a long and ongoing one, requiring steadfast commitment.
Mendez v. Westminster: Latinos in the Fight for Education Equity
Although not widely known, Latinos have historically been at the forefront of civil rights issues, particularly the fight for education equity. In 1946, Mendez v. Westminster set a powerful precedent in challenging segregation in California’s public schools. Sylvia Mendez, a young Mexican-American girl, was denied entry to a “whites-only” school in Orange County, California. Her father, Gonzalo Mendez, took action, filing a lawsuit that became one of the first federal cases to argue that segregated schooling was unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
This landmark case wasn’t just about the law; it was about the real-world impacts of segregation on children. The Mendez family’s attorney presented evidence showing how segregation harmed Mexican-American students’ self-worth, affecting their ability to succeed and thrive. The federal court agreed, marking a historic moment by ordering California schools to end segregation. The Ninth Circuit Court upheld this decision, and California quickly followed by officially ending public school segregation statewide. This case laid the foundation for later legal challenges, influencing the national conversation on racial justice in schools.
Notably, Governor Earl Warren, who would later serve as Chief Justice on the Supreme Court, signed the desegregation bill—a role that further bridged this case with later decisions on desegregation.
Brown v. Board of Education
The Mendez decision directly influenced the arguments used in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the case that ultimately ended “de jure” or legalized segregation in public schools nationwide. NAACP lawyer Thurgood Marshall, used the rationale from Mendez to argue before the Supreme Court that “separate but equal” education was inherently discriminatory. In this case, Oliver Brown, father of Linda Brown, filed a lawsuit after his daughter was denied entry to an all-white school in Topeka, Kansas.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision and declaring that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” Chief Justice Earl Warren, drawing on his experience with Mendez, helped lead the Court to a unanimous decision, declaring that the Equal Protection Clause mandated integrated public schooling.
This decision signaled a major victory for the civil rights movement and spurred broader efforts for social justice, ultimately leading to the ending to“de jure”segregation of public schools across the country.
Abbott v. Burke: Funding in NJ Schools
The Abbott v. Burke case, another more well known New Jersey lawsuit, reshaped the state’s approach to funding public education, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. Beginning in the 1980s, families from low-income districts argued that their children received an inferior education due to inadequate funding compared to wealthier districts.
After numerous appeals and decisions, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the state must provide equal funding to schools in poorer communities, especially where many students were from low-income or minority backgrounds. The Abbott v. Burke rulings led to what are now known as “Abbott districts,” which receive additional state funding to provide facilities, resources, and services that level the educational playing field.
This landmark case put New Jersey at the forefront of education reform and demonstrated the importance of equitable funding in ensuring all students have equal access to quality education.
Did you know?
You’ve probably heard of Brown v. Board, and perhaps Mendez and Abbott, but did you know that one of the earliest efforts to combat school segregation happened right here in New Jersey? This case, known as the Hedgepeth and Williams v. The Board of Education of Trenton (1944) case involved two African-American mothers, Gladys Hedgepeth and Berline Williams. They filed a complaint against the Trenton Board of Education after their children were denied entry to a nearby “white” school.
They argued that this segregation policy violated the state’s anti-segregation laws. The court ruled in favor of Hedgepeth and Williams, ordering the school to admit their children and establishing that segregation based on race was unconstitutional in New Jersey schools. This case set a critical precedent in New Jersey and demonstrated that parents could effectively challenge discriminatory policies, underscoring the state’s role in promoting educational equity.
This legacy reminds us that battles for fair schooling have deep roots in New Jersey, and we are part of a tradition that stands against inequality in education.
Continuing the Fight: LAN v. NJ and Building on Past Wins
Cases like Hedgepeth and Williams and Abbott v. Burke highlight the deep legacy of fighting for educational justice here in New Jersey. New Jersey
The LAN v. NJ desegregation case continues this history, standing on the shoulders of victories that pushed for education equity. Rooted in the legacies of Mendez, Brown, and Hedgepeth and Williams, as well as other pivotal cases, LAN v. NJ challenges school segregation and inequity, serving as a testament to New Jersey’s long-standing commitment to civil rights and fair education for all.
Education equity victories have historically been occurring right in our backyards, with Latinos leading the charge in cases such as the Mendez case. This showcases that Latinos are not merely bystanders in advancing education equity but pioneers in the movement. As such, they should continue to be involved in the fight against the enduring legacy of segregation and racism in the state and across the nation.
References:
Education Law Center. Abbott History. /https://edlawcenter.org/litigation/abbott-history/
Education Law Center. Abbott Districts. https://edlawcenter.org/litigation/abbott-v-burke/abbott- districts/
New Jersey Education Association. Trenton Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Hedgepeth-Williams Decision. https://www.njea.org/trenton-celebrates-80th-anniversary-of-hedgepeth-williams -decision/
Latino Action Network Foundation. CASE PAGE: New Jersey Public School Integration Lawsuit https://www.lanfoundation.org/integratenj
National Archives. Milestone Documents: Plessy v. Ferguson. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/plessy-v-ferguson
U.S. Courts. Background: Mendez v. Westminster Re-Enactment. https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/background-mendez-v-westminster-re-enactment
Mosaic NJ. A New Jersey Supreme Court Case Transformed Trenton and the United States. https://mosaic.nj.com/social_justice/2024/02/a-new-jersey-supreme-court-case-transformed-trenton-and-the-united-states.html
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