Document: 391 U.S. 430 88 S.Ct. 1689 20 L.Ed.2d 716 Charles C. GREEN et al.v.COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD OF NEW KENT COUNTY, VIRGINIA al. No. 695. Argued April 3, 1968. Decided May 27, Samuel Tucker, Richmond, Va., for petitioners. Frederick T. Gray, respondents. Louis F. Claiborne, Washington, D.C., the United States, as amicus curiae, by special leave of Court. (Also in Nos. 740 and 805) Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion 1 The question decision is whether, under all circumstances here, respondent School Board's adoption a 'freedom-of-choice' plan which allows pupil to choose his own public school constitutes adequate compliance with responsibility 'to achieve system determining admission schools on non-racial basis * *.' Brown v. Board Education Topeka, Kan., 349 294, 300 301, 75 753, 756, 99 L.Ed. 1083 (Brown II). 2 Petitioners brought this action March 1965 seeking injunctive relief against respondent's continued maintenance an alleged racially segregated system. New Kent County rural county Eastern Virginia. About one-half its population some 4,500 are Negroes. There no residential segregation county; persons both races reside throughout. has only two schools, east side George W. Watkins west side. In memorandum filed 17, 1966, District Court found that 'school serves approximately 1,300 pupils, Negro 550 White. operates one white combined elementary high (New Kent), (George Watkins). attendance zones. Each entire county.' record indicates 21 buses—11 serving 10 school—travel overlapping routes throughout transport pupils from schools. 3 was initially established maintained compulsion Virginia constitutional statutory provisions mandating racial education, Va.Const., Art. IX, § 140 (1902); Va.Code 22—221 (1950). These were held violate Federal Constitution Davis Prince Edward County, decided 347 483, 487, 74 686, 688, 98 873 I). operation after decisions, presumably authority several statutes enacted resistance those decisions. Some these be unconstitutional their face or applied.1 One statute, Pupil Placement Act, 22—232.1 seq. (1964), not repealed until divested local boards assign children particular placed State Board. Under Act each year automatically reassigned previously attended unless upon application assigned them another school; students enrollment first time also at discretion To September 1964, had applied statute school. 4 sought dismissal suit ground petitioners failed apply assignment However August 2, 1965, five months brought, Board, order remain eligible federal financial aid, adopted desegregating schools.2 plan, pupil, except entering eighth grades, may annually between making choice attended; grade must affirmatively After denied petitioners' prayer injunction granted submit amendment respect employment teachers staff nondiscriminatory basis. duly June 28, approved so amended. Appeals Fourth Circuit, en banc, 382 F.2d 338,3 affirmed Court's approval but remanded case entry regarding faculty 'which much more specific comprehensive' would incorporate addition 'minimal, objective table' decree entered Fifth Circuit States Jefferson Education, 372 836, aff'd 380 385 (1967). Judges Sobeloff Winter concurred remand teacher issue otherwise disagreed, expressing view 'that should directed set up procedures periodically evaluating effectiveness (Board's) 'freedom choice' (plan) elimination other features system.' Bowman City 326, 330. We certiorari, 389 1003, 565, 19 598. 5 pattern separate 'white' 'Negro' state laws precisely I II particularly addressed, declared unconstitutionally equal protection laws. Racial identification system's complete, extending just composition student bodies every facet operations—faculty, staff, transportation, extracurricular activities facilities. short, State, acting through board officials, organized operated dual system, part 'Negro.' 6 It such systems 14 years ago later abolished; operating required effectuate transition U.S., 756. course true immediately concern initial break long-established excluding children. principal focus obtaining courageous enough tradition place See, e.g., Cooper Aaron, 358 1, 78 1401, 5. immediate goal step, however. unitary, nonracial education ultimate end about; it because 'complexities arising freed discrimination' we provided 'all deliberate speed' implementation principles I. 299—301, 755. Thus recognized task necessarily involve solution 'varied problems.' Id., 299, referring 'personal interest plaintiffs soon practicable basis,' noted '(t)o call variety obstacles 300, Yet emphasized rights officials bear burden establishing additional carry out ruling effective manner 'is necessary consistent good faith earliest date.' Ibid. charged district courts review situations 7 'consider problems related administration, physical condition plant, transportation personnel, revision districts areas into compact units basis, regulations solving foregoing problems. They will consider adequacy any plans defendants propose meet 300—301, 8 background 13 commanded abolition measure end. contends fully discharged obligation adopting student, regardless race, 'freely' he attend. attempts cast broadest form arguing faulted reading Fourteenth Amendment universally requiring 'compulsory integration,' insists wording support. But argument ignores thrust II. light command case, what involved here whether achieved 'racially system' effectuated remedy deficiencies context state-imposed long standing, fact opened doors former merely begins, ends, our inquiry taken steps abolish dual, dismantling well-entrenched tempered awareness complex multifaceted arise require flexibility successful resolution. then state-compelled nevertheless clearly affirmative duty take whatever might convert unitary discrimination eliminated root branch. See supra, 7, 1404; Bradley 103, 86 224, 15 187; cf. Watson Memphis, 373 526, 83 1314, 529. articulated permit less than this; bend efforts.4 9 met relevant step did come 11 'prompt reasonable start.' This perpetuation can have compounded harm Such delays longer tolerable, 'the governing imprint newly enunciated doctrine.' 529, 1316; see supra; Rogers Paul, 198, 358, 265. Moreover, late date fails provide meaningful assurance prompt disestablishment intolerable. 'The mere 'deliberate run out,' Griffin 377 218, 234, 84 1226, 1235, 12 256, interpret language (of II) desegregation been significantly altered.' Goss Knoxville, Tenn., 683, 689, 1405, 1409, 632. Calhoun Latimer, 263, 288. today forward promises realistically work, work now. courts, always been, assess proposed achieving desegregation. universal answer desegregation; there obviously do job case. matter assessed present options available instance. incumbent establish progress toward disestablishing segregation. court weigh claim facts hand alternatives shown feasible promising effectiveness. Where finds real prospects 'at date,' said relief. Of course, availability courses indicate lack faith; least places heavy explain preference apparently method. evaluation practice, retain jurisdiction clear completely removed. Raney Gould District, 443, 449, 1697, 1700, 727. hold plan. itself unconstitutional, although urged us. Rather, decide utilizing itself. As Judge put it, "Freedom sacred talisman; means constitutionally end—the effects. If prove effective, acceptable, if undo segregation, used continuing create 'unitary, system." 333 (C.A.4th Cir. 1967) (concurring opinion). Accord, Kemp Beasley, 178 (C.A.8th 1968); supra. Although general experience ineffectiveness tool desegregation,5 well instances serve device. offers promise aiding program conversion objection allowing device operation. On hand, reasonably ways, illustration zoning, speedier unacceptable. cannot accepted sufficient 'effectuate transition' three single child chosen attend 115 enrolled 1967 (up 35 111 1966) 85% still all-Negro words, remains Rather further simply parents squarely formulate new and, appear open zoning,6 fashion promptly without school, judgment vacated insofar proceedings opinion. ordered. E.g., 256; Green Roanoke, 304 118 1962); Adkins Newport News, 148 F.Supp. (D.C.E.D.Va.), aff'd, 246 325 1957); James Almond, 170 331 (D.C.E.D.Va.1959); Harrison Day, 200 Va. 439, 106 S.E.2d 636 (1959). Congress, concerned desegregation, included Civil Rights 1964 deal problem various agencies Government. Stat. 246, 252, 266, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000c seq., 2000d 2000h—2. Title VI Congress 'No person shall, color, national origin, excluded participation in, benefits of, subjected activity receiving assistance.' 2000d. Department Health, Welfare issued covering federally aided systems, 2000d—1, statement policies, 'guidelines,' Department's Office standards according process qualified funds. 45 CFR 80.1—80.13, 181.1—181.76 'Freedom-of-choice' among considered proves effective. 181.54. 'subject final agrees comply deemed regulations. 80.4(c). 181.6. generally Dunn, VI, Guidelines Desegregation South, 53 Va.L.Rev. (1967); Note, 55 Geo.L.J. (1966); Comment, 77 Yale L.J. 321 per curiam same day. Certiorari 'We mind power render far possible eliminate discriminatory effects past bar like future.' Louisiana 145, 154, 85 817, 822, 709. Compare remedies discussed NLRB News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., 308 241, 60 203, 219; Crescent Amusement 323 173, 65 254, 89 160; Standard Oil Co. 221 31 502, 34 L.R.A.,N.S., 834. 232—234, 1233—1235, 256. views Commission Rights, neither adopt nor refuse adopt, follows: 'Freedom plans, tended perpetuate identifiable Southern border before achieved. number factors prevented substantial numbers races: '(a) Fear retaliation hostility community continue deter many families choosing formerly all-white schools; '(b) During (1966—1967), previous year, attending free targets violence, threats violence economic reprisal harassment classmates notwithstanding conscientious efforts principals prevent misconduct; '(c) South improperly influenced keep official functions; '(d) Poverty deters embarrassed suitable clothing. fees '(e) Improvements facilities equipment instituted tends discourage Negroes selecting schools.' Desegregation, 1966—1967, id., 45—69; Survey Border 1965—1966, 30—44, 51—52) Comm'n 1966). 'In situation where establishment could readily minimum administrative difficulty geographic zoning—simply assigning living eastern half western School. geographical formula appropriate, evident separately busing across deliberately maintaining vanish zoning. conditions classical expedient.' n. 332 concurring suggested consolidate site (e.g., Watkins) grades 1—7 Kent) 8—12, being division makes secondary levels. contend result efficient eliminating costly duplication relatively small while suggestions account remand, along considerations respecting aspects Appeals.

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