My Connection to the Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, KS

This past week, Linda Brown, of Topeka, KS passed away, at age 75. Linda was a primary figure in the desegregation of schools, in the USA. She was one of 5 or 6 African American children who wanted to go to a white school with their friends. Linda wanted to go to Sumner School in Topeka. Her father tried to take her to school, and she was refused. Eventually, there was a big court case involving the 6 children around the US. Since it was a national case, and Mr. Brown’s name was at the beginning of the alphabet, it became the Brown vs the Board of Education of Topeka, KS. Linda eventually went to Sumner school.

In 1984, my family was living in Wichita. Our son would be starting Kindergarten. In Wichita, they drew names to see which children would be bussed to another school. That was their solution to desegregation.

My husband got the job of General Manager of the Topeka Transit System. We moved and wondered what school our son would go to. It turned out that Topeka didn’t have bussing. They found another solution.

I subbed for awhile, in the Topeka school system. One of the schools that I subbed at frequently, was Sumner School. Yes, it was the same school that Linda Brown had attended. Finally, I interviewed for some full-time jobs. One, that I eventually took, was at The Topeka Adventure Center (TAC). The TAC was an enrichment center for grades 3 and 5. Because of combined classes, we also often had grades 4 and 6 attending. About 4 or 5 schools, from different economic incomes, came at the same time. This was the solution to bussing. Third graders came for three days. Fifth graders came for two weeks.

TAC was one of the most exciting schools I’ve ever taught in. I started out as an aide/building sub. Then I became a teacher there, job sharing with another teacher. Everything was hands on, with no grades and no worksheets. The teachers were picked from the best in the school system. We were a small staff, but we were very close. Not only did we have a computer lab, but we had a science class, a drama class, an art class, a music class, and a TV studio, where students could produce their own shows. One of the favorite things for students to do was being assigned to Venture Ville. That was in the gym area. Students learned to write checks and keep their balance, use credit cards, and budget their money. There were little shops for them to work at. Shops included a cafe, a radio station, a movie place with a popcorn machine, a shop to buy a computer banner, and a shop to buy handmade buttons. The first day of classes, the students had to apply for their classes and jobs.

I moved to Toledo in 1989. That same year, the Browns reopened the case, saying this was not enough. In a couple of years, the TAC was closed. Topeka built Magnet schools.

Linda Brown was a shy, soft-spoken girl. It wasn’t until she was in high school that she realized she might be famous. I’m so glad her father stepped forward so she could attend a white school. What a legacy! RIP Linda.