Document: 395 U.S. 225 89 S.Ct. 1670 23 L.Ed.2d 263 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION et al. Arlam CARR, Jr., by Carr and Johnnie Cr r, etc., al., Petitioners, v. MONTGOMERY Nos. 798, 997. Argued April 28, 1969. Decided June 2, Sol. Gen. Erwin N. Griswold Jack Greenberg, New York City, for petitioners. Joseph D. Phelps, Montgomery, Ala., respondents. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In this action United States District Court at Alabama, ordered local Montgomery County Board Education to bring about a racial desegregation faculty staff county school system. 289 F.Supp. 647 (1968). Dissatisfied with Court's order, board appelled. A panel Appeals affirmed order but, two-to-one vote, modified it in part, 400 F.2d (1968).1 petition rehearing en banc was denied an evenly divided court, six six, thereby leaving standing modifications made panel.2 On petitions as intervenor below No. individual plaintiffs 997, we granted certiorari. 393 1116, 989, 22 121 (1969). 2 Fifteen years ago, on May 17, 1954, decided that segregation races public schools is unconstitutional. Brown Education, 347 483, 74 686, 98 L.Ed. 873, 38 A.L.R.2d 1180 (Brown I). case left undecided manner which transition from segregated unitary systems would be achieved, set down another hearing, inviting Attorney General Attorneys providing present their views best ways implement enforce our judgment. We devoted four days argument single problem, all affected parties were given opportunity length. After careful consideration many viewpoints so fully aired parties, announced decision II, 349 294, 75 753, 99 1083 (1955). held primary responsibility abolishing system rest authorities. some argued before us, laws permitted but did not require segregation, noted these 'substantial steps eliminate discrimination have already been taken * *.' Id., 299, S.Ct., 756. Many other had maintained completely separate whites nonwhites, States, both civil criminal, written keep inviolate. The practices, habits, customs generations fixed part daily life expectations people. Recognizing indisputable facts, neither expected nor complete abandonment old adoption new accomplished overnight. changes 'at earliest practicable date' 'all deliberate speed.' 300, 301, content, however, leave task unsupervised hands authorities, trained most under loyalties white Negro schools. As stressed then, '(I)t should go without saying vitality constitutional principles cannot allowed yield simply because disagreement them.' problem delays authorities during period therefore courts, courts far practc able, those guided traditional equitable flexibility shape remedies adjust reconcile private needs. These charged II opinion, id., 756, duty to: 3 'require defendants (local authorities) make prompt reasonable start toward full compliance ruling. Once such has made, may find additional time necessary carry out ruling effective manner. burden rests upon establish interest consistent good faith date.' 4 record shows any area Alabama voluntarily took integrate 10 after I opinion. fact makes clear state government its officials attempted every way possible continue dual racially defiance repeated unanimous holdings violated Constitution.3 5 There matter stood 1964 when brought children parents, participation amicus curiae. Apparently up County, indeed State, operated, actual integration concerned, though cases never decided. Obviously voluntary proved even partially successful. Consequently, if age receive rights declared them exist, coercive assistance imperatively called for. So, preliminary procedural matters disposed of, answers filed, issues joined, trial place. July 31, 1964, Judge Johnson handed entered order. 232 705. judge found time: 6 'There only one district Superintendent exercising control over entire year 1963—64, there attendance approximately 15,000 25,000 children. owns operates 77 7 'From evidence case, further specifically finds that, through policy, custom practice, functioning named defendants, based race color; say, practice custom, operate attended exclusively students students. reflects teachers are assigned according race; students.' F.Supp., 707. 8 his findings, certain grades begin September first no efforts desegregate faculty. board, acting State's placement law, finally admitted eight 29 who sought transfers judge's 31 refused admission 21 whose transfer applications rejected officials. 9 initial followed yearly proceedings, opinions, orders him.4 Hearings, preceding orders, filing each direction report board's plans proceeding desegregation. annual reports together transcripts discussions hearings, seem reveal growing recognition achieve rapidly practicable. record, also reveals areas moving could fulfill duty, constant effort expedite process practical goal wholly schools, either or During what turned exchange ideas between officials, judge, time, compliment cooperation him trying integrated Some complimentary remarks modifying decree. F.2d, 3, n. 3. hand see eye speed wiped 'root branch' must done. Green School Board, 391 430, 438, 88 1689, 1694, 20 716 having face 'complexities arising education freed discrimination,' U.S., 755, constantly sparring time; whom thrust difficult insuring achievement date, urging unnecessary delay reaching mandate nothing past history. context clashing objectives surprising recent 1968 failed satisfy side. It gratifying, differences minor they appear us be. provided safeguards assure construction additions existing follow pattern tending perpetuate segregation. nondiscriminatory bus routes insure transportation policy tend detailed impression Jefferson Davis High two elementary used primarily included requirement file near future specific detailing take comply point Nearly aspects accepted challenged appeal Appeals. Of provisions mentioned, aspect provision relating Appeals, upheld Johnso' § point, seek review question here. 11 dispute thus centers deals desegregation, recognized important basic achieving free discrimination. See, e.g., Bradley City Richmond, Va., 382 103, 86 224, 15 187 (1965); Rogers Paul, 198, 358, 265 (1965). 1966 he 1966—1967 adequate progress goal. He found: 12 'The does reflect real administrative problems involved immediately desegregating substitute teachers, student night faculties, evolvement really legally program substantial faculties commencing 69.' 650. 13 concluded more appropriate circumstances minimum amount required future. To end move 'in ratio members substantially same throughout system.' 654. addition, forth schedule. assignment substitute, almost groups whole. With respect full-time gradual schedule forth. At whole three two. For 1968—1969 year, fewer than least different majority school, school. goals specified reserved later decision. About week amended original term less teacher minority rather two, originally required. 14 containing prompted modification Agreeing properly 'extensive hearings lagging appellants (the board) earlier court requiring desegregation,' noting testimony themselves indicated need guidelines,5 nevertheless struck parts viewed 'fixed mathematical' ratios. setting 1969 approximately' 5—1 Johnson's ultimate objective future, numerical eliminated tested solely holding, arguments g ainst rigid inflexible kind case. might possibly troublesome read being absolutely inflexible, But believe intention. five considered him, previously shown, issued annually sometimes often. occasion Johnson, own motion, outstanding stringent approved This done inflict injustice Indeed filled statements showing understanding recognized, field always open experimentation.6 now adopted spirit supra, 439, 716, plan 'promises realistically work, promises work now.' while course intended do so, would, think, capacity expedite, means commands, day unified, unitary, becomes reality instead hope. 2—1 panel, particularly view subject. outlined date opinions Griffin 377 218, 233—234, 84 1226, 1234—1235, 256 (1964), accepting expeditious patience wisdom pages five-year us. 16 able decide feelings exceedingly narrow. Respondents, clearly brief, 'These respondents recognize affirmative provide desegregated, nonracial assign regard identifiable Brief Respondents 11—12. hand, argue precisely equal ratios circumstances. petitioner recognizes 'is designed remedy *. not, words, here balanced constitutionally required.' 13. short counsel, assert purpose early good-faith obedience decisions. Both accorded counsel courteous patient consideration; sign lack cause justice below. Despite petitioners litigation reason gone farther protect did, approve wrote it. This, believe, can Alabama. hope approval give will long distance law land them. 17 judgment reversed, remanded directions affirm 18 ordered. 19 Judgment reversed directions. dissent reported 402 782. dissents denial 784, 787. history continued support Alabama's governor separating nonwhite students, faculty, staff, three-judge Middle Lee Macon 267 458 (1967), title Wallace 389 215, 415, 422 (1967). follows: 18, 1965, Race Rel.L.Rep. 582; March 22, 1966, 253 306: August 1716; 1, 1967, 1200. quoted following excerpt Associate W. S. Garrett: 'Q. Well, your plan, you estimate terms removing— 'A. now, something don't know, know are. That laid percentage fashion of. says strive recognizable staffed particular race. get let— So I—I can't—this fairly general terms; can't answer question. statement expert accomplished? depend Board's definition is, court's that. Do that? Not point; discussed times, of—of mean. No told you, mechanics, numbers, none superiors? No, personnel man America has. talked What striving going somewhere along line achieved the—what mind. look doesn't lay precise exactly means; broad definition.' stated 1695, 716: universal complex desegregation; obviously job assessed light options available instance. incumbent proposed meaningful immediate disestablishing state-imposed weigh claim facts alternatives shown feasible promising effectiveness.'

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