Celebration and impact from Green v. New Kent County School Board historical case lives on
Mary Green is honored on May 20 for her family’s involvement in the historical supreme court case.Robb Johnson photo
In the 1960s, America was plagued with the inability to understand racial equality. After laws were passed for desegregation, there was hope that equality could be built towards progression. Instead, regression happened despite the Brown v. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court Case being the start of what was supposed to be a movement to equality.
But a fight by the Rev. Dr. Calvin Green to desegregate New Kent County schools in the late 1960s was a turning point in American history. That fight was honored during a month-long celebration that concluded on May 27 in New Kent High School.
New Kent County’s school board elected to keep the schools racially divided despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in 1954 in the Brown v. Board of Education case. The massive resistance moved Green to make a choice to fight for his kids to attend New Kent High School, an all-white school at the time, in 1967. However, his fight was met with massive resistance, causing fear among students and parents for the attempt.
But Green used his ability to fight as he incorporated the assistance from NAACP lawyers Samuel W. Tucker, Jack Greenberg, Henry Marsh III, James Nabrit III, and Oliver Hill, thus beginning Green v. New Kent County School Board. The battle between the two parties took place in 1968, with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of Green and by 1969, New Kent schools were no longer determined by race but by grade levels.
Even though Green succumbed in 2011, his impact lives on through stories, song, and historical significance. On May 20, Corey D.B. Walker honored Green with a speech highlighted with a line that impacted those in attendance.
“Freedom may be untimely to some, but for others, it is right on time,” Walker said.
Mary Green, wife of the late advocate, was honored as well. The celebration ceremony was visible on her face as she expressed hope and optimism through the plethora of programs that have taken place over the month.
On May 27, a panel gathered to promote a stronger bond of unity instead of division among America. The panel’s message was clear: When America is integrated and working together, it is a stronger nation. Dividing now will only divide wider later and make the country weaker when it comes to education.
NAACP Senior Counsel Michaele Turnage Young said that despite the Green Case being resolved a half-century ago, there are still instances where it’s still hasn’t taken full effect in some school districts.
“There is discrimination in districts and unfair discipline that black children receive compared to white children,” Young said. “I have seen protests against desegregation.”
National broadcast radio talk show host Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III said that even in today’s world, the African-American race continues to be oppressed.
“We as black Americans are still fighting to be recognized as human beings,” he said. “America must come to an uncomfortable truth that even in fifty years after the Green decision, we have work to do.
“We can no longer keep poor schools,” Leon continued. “We must fight for those that have less. This is not a handout, this is a national crisis. Green and his family put their lives on the line to fight for something that could build America up even more. Aare we just going to tear that hard work down with hate and fear?”
Leon’s message was loud and clear, saying America is no good without all the parts.
Green v. New Kent County School Board played and continues to play a significant role in the history of not only the county, but America. The impact of the decision lingers on as well as the fight, but the understanding of what one man did not only for his family, but for the African-American race and education system will continue to be a guiding light for equality for this country.