Sumner Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas was recently sold at auction to True Foundation World Outreach Ministries for a mere $89,000.  They plan to convert it into a community center.

I think this story caught my attention (originally found on afro.com) because it was news to me that the school was up for auction and the fact that it went for so little money.  If you have any insight to share, please share.  Why wouldn’t this be converted by local government into some kind of educational and historical site?

An excerpt of the historical background regarding Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas is provided below…

The 1954 United States Supreme Court decision in Oliver L. Brown et.al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka (KS) et.al. is among the most significant judicial turning points in the development of our country. Originally led by Charles H. Houston, and later Thurgood Marshall and a formidable legal team, it dismantled the legal basis for racial segregation in schools and other public facilities.

By declaring that the discriminatory nature of racial segregation … “violates the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees all citizens equal protection of the laws,” Brown v. Board of Education laid the foundation for shaping future national and international policies regarding human rights.

(source:  brownvboard.org)

I found it! YouTube is the best thing ever! This is exactly what motivated me to start this blog and this topic. I know this is a little old, but it’s worth another viewing, or for those of you who haven’t seen it, definitely check it out. There are 2 clips below from high schooler Kiri Davis who did a remake of the 1940s and 50s study called “The Doll Test.” The test was originally conducted by Dr. Kenneth Clark and his wife Dr. Mamie Clark to demonstrate the affects of segregation in the time of Brown vs. the Board of Education. You may read more details on this site: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/brown/brown-brown.html

Additional reads may be checked out below:

Daily Kos article: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/8/8/125223/2445

Angry Brown Butch’s website: http://www.angrybrownbutch.com/category/film/

Psychology Matters: http://www.psychologymatters.org/clark.html

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Below are Kiri Davis’s films…
Kiri Davis’s film “A Girl Like Me”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjy9q8VekmE]

Kiri Davis’s Follow Up to filme

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAOZhuRb_Q8]