Bergman Memorial Lecture: Seeking Equality in Our Schools-Mendez v. Westminster

Bergman Memorial Lecture: Seeking Equality in Our Schools-Mendez v. Westminster

Date and Time

Thursday, February 15, 2018

This event occurred in the past

  • Thursday, February 15, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Location

Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Theatre & Rotunda

5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110

Cost

Free

Details

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED BUT WALK-INS ARE WELCOME & WILL BE ACCOMMODATED AT THE DOOR

USD School of Law is holding a reception and panel discussion in honor of Mendez v. Westminster - a 1947 federal court case that challenged Mexican remedial schools in Orange County, California. In its ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, in an en banc decision, held that the forced segregation of Mexican American students was unconstitutional and unlawful.

U.S. District Court Judge Paul J. McCormick ruled, "The equal protection of the laws pertaining to the public school system in California is not provided by furnishing in separate schools the same technical facilities, textbooks and courses of instruction to children of Mexican ancestry that are available to the other public school children regardless of their ancestry. A paramount requisite in the American system of public education is social equality. It must be open to all children by unified school association regardless of lineage." It was the first ruling in the U.S. in favor of school desegregation. 

Mendez v. Westminster

Post Contact

USD Law School External Relations
usdlawevent@sandiego.edu