Rachel L. Slotterback

The Effects of Contemporary Social Science of the Mid 20th Century on Brown v. Board of Education

Abstract:

This senior project explores how the NAACP employed social scientists during the Brown v. Board of Education, Supreme Court trial. Kenneth Clark and other social scientists used their evidence to prove how segregated education detrimentally effected African American children psyches. Social scientists were expert witnesses used by Robert L. Carter and the NAACP to prove to the Supreme Court justices not only was segregated education unconstitutional, but unethical as well. Having segregation sanctioned by those in government implies African American children were inferior to whites. In the majority opinion, noted by Chief Justice Earl Warren, he acknowledged the inferiority felt by African Americans creating a direct link to Clark and other social scientists.

Thesis Advisor: A. Ribeiro