President Joe Biden welcomed plaintiffs and family members of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case to the White House this week to mark the 70th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that desegregated public schools. The Oval Office visit on Thursday honored the 1954 ruling that struck down institutionalized racial segregation in schools, highlighting Biden's administration's commitment to racial equity.
Biden has been actively engaging with Black voters, conducting Black radio interviews in Atlanta and Milwaukee to promote his administration's achievements in jobs, healthcare, and infrastructure while criticizing former President Donald Trump. The president is scheduled to deliver remarks at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, meet with leaders of historically Black sororities and fraternities, and speak at Morehouse College's commencement and an NAACP gala in Detroit.
During the meeting with litigants and their families, the focus was on honoring the plaintiffs and advancing education in Black communities. White House senior adviser Stephen Benjamin stated that Biden commended the plaintiffs for their role in shaping the nation and pledged to continue working towards realizing the promise of America.
The Brown decision overturned the 1896 ruling that established 'separate but equal' schools for Black and white students, declaring such segregation as inherently unequal. Participants in the meeting included plaintiffs from various cases consolidated into the Brown case, with calls for making May 17 an annual federal holiday to commemorate the decision.
Biden's acceptance of an invitation to deliver the Morehouse College graduation address sparked peaceful student protests due to concerns over his handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The administration engaged with students and faculty to address these concerns and discuss various issues, including the situation in the Middle East.
