How did bussing enforce integration?

Bussing was a direct consequence of the Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education, which aimed to enforce the integration of schools. This strategy involved transporting children from various parts of a city to a central school that no longer served just the local neighborhood but became a melting pot of different ethnicities. The objective was to foster understanding and friendships across racial and cultural divides, helping children see that despite superficial differences, all humans share essential similarities and values. However, bussing had mixed results. While it did facilitate some degree of integration, many inner-city schools remained predominantly one ethnicity due to factors like the movement of privileged white families to private schools, which were not affected by the integration policies. This movement limited the exposure of many children to racial and cultural diversity at an early age 1.

Integration and Education

Shane Parrish

Esther Wojcicki

Esther explains the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision and how it enforced integration of schools. The decision led to bussing, which brought kids from different areas of the city to the same school. However, inner city schools are still usually one ethnicity, and the flight of white privileged to private schools means that many kids don't have the opportunity to know people from other ethnicities. It's better for kids to grow up with different ethnicities and cultures and to know that we're all the same.

The Knowledge Project

Esther Wojcicki — The Knowledge Project #79

Explore similar conversationsView full episode summary

1