Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education
Headline: Court orders Mississippi school districts to stop racial segregation immediately, vacates a lower court delay, and requires prompt operation of unitary schools for thousands of children.
Holding:
- Requires Mississippi school districts to end racially segregated schools immediately.
- Allows the appeals court to adopt or modify federal HEW desegregation recommendations.
- Keeps the appeals court supervising prompt compliance and possible modifications.
Summary
Background
This matter reached the Court after a petition was granted on October 9, 1969, and involved many thousands of children attending Mississippi schools that remained racially segregated. The proceeding concerned an August 28, 1969 order from the Court of Appeals and earlier August 11, 1969 recommendations from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. The Supreme Court described the issue as one of paramount importance because ongoing segregation conflicted with this Court’s earlier rulings.
Reasoning
The Court addressed whether continued operation of segregated schools under a policy of “all deliberate speed” was still constitutionally acceptable. Citing prior decisions (Griffin and Green), the Court concluded it is not. The Court vacated the Court of Appeals’ August 28 order, remanded with instructions to enter an immediate decree that the named Mississippi school districts may no longer operate dual systems based on race and must instead operate unitary schools that do not effectively exclude any person because of race or color. The Court allowed the Court of Appeals to adopt, modify, or reject the HEW recommendations as needed and retained oversight authority to ensure prompt compliance.
Real world impact
The ruling requires immediate change in how the affected Mississippi school districts assign and operate schools, directing them to desegregate now. District courts may hear objections or proposed amendments, but compliance with the Court of Appeals’ order is required while those matters are considered. The Court asked that the judgment be given priority to secure quick execution of these orders.
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