|
|
(Larger Image)
|
Dismantling Desegregation: The Quiet Reversal of Brown V. Board of Education
by Gary Orfield, Susan E. Eaton
Product Group: Book
Publisher: New Press (1997-09)
ISBN: 1565844017
EAN: 9781565844018
Dewy Decimal #: 370.193420973
Paperback: 424 pages
SKU: 07110393
Condition: Like New As issued n
Comments: Paperback. Like new condition with no markings and no creases to spine or cover. Very slight wear to cover and nearly invisible , slight stain on bottom edge. Near fine copy.
|
Editorial Reviews
|
Product Description
Dismantling Desegregation explains the consequences of resegregation and offers direction for a more constructive route toward an equitable future. By citing case studies of ten school districts across the country, Orfield and Eaton uncover the demise of what many feel have been the only legally enforceable routes of access and opportunity for millions of school children in America.
|
Customer Reviews
|
Informative
Rating  (3)
Date: 2006-08-10
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
I like many have long felt a sense of pride in our country's apparent commitment to ideals when we annually commemorate Brown v. Board of Education. However, I've been wondering why, after Brown and the years of social turmoil we endured to integrate our schools, that our schools are racially segregated? The authors of "Dismantling..." seem to suggest that we have basically abandoned one of the most cherished ideals of the Republic, equality. That we did this is apparent. Determining the answer to the question why we resegregated our schools to the reader. Though some helpful information on reaching this determination is presented
"Dismantling..." focuses on how we've abandoned the Brown (1954) principle "separate is inherently unequal" and have steadily moved back to Plessy v Ferguson (1896) "separate but equal". The book provides significant amounts of historical perspective and traces the reversing trend through Supreme Court decisions from Brown to 1995. The authors provide a large amount of detail on the effects of these decisions on our schools and at-risk children.
Make no mistake. This book is decidedly one-side. However, this fact does not necessarily invalidate the information presented or the conclusions drawn. I would have appreciated inclusion of more material on the integration successes, however small they may be, and where these successes are occurring.
A pleasant surprising inclusion was the following paragraph which I believe is the most succinctly stated argument that desegregating our schools is desirable and probably necessary. "There is never enough money to satisfy all needs in any school district. All school districts face strong competition for funds, desirable programs, facilities, and the best teachers. Normal politics produces budgets and administrative decisions slanted in favor of the communities with the most power. Administrators and boards tend to reward communities with resources, skills, and access because it this constituency that can most damage the reputation and community support of school officials by using communication skills and their ability to mobilize the electorate. In the long run the weakest communities almost always lose. Resources flow toward power like water flows downhill. Money, good teachers and administrations, and special programs are always scarce and there is always competition for these resources. Assuming that the most powerless communities with the most disadvantaged students and families will receive equal priority over the long run is like assuming that water will flow uphill."
"Dismantling Desegregation" is a dense book. It was apparently written for educational professionals rather than general readers such as myself, who are not directly involved in school desegregation issues and who do not have children in school. For the professional I'm sure it is a valuable information resource. For the rest of us, this book offers interesting information, often valuable, but it is not an easy or pleasant read.
|
|
GREAT EXAMPLE OF CASE STUDY RESEARCH
Rating  (4)
Date: 2004-04-05
The case studies in this book were cogent and beautifully written. (Not common in case studies!!) The stories remind you that real people are involved in these decisions -- are important. However, the book, overall, doesn't hold together. I wish the case study author had written the entire book because some of the rest of it seems off point. I'd love to see an update in what's happening in districts like Norfolk and Montgomery County. A good book for any student of race relations or the judiciary.
|
|
a not so wonky explanation of important subject
Rating (4)
Date: 2003-06-10
finally, here is a book that shows with real people and real places the effects of the us of a's (the land of equality?? not) throwing out of the desegregation ideal. i happened to grow up in two places, Montgomery County Maryland (the chapter on this is right on) and also, a suburb right outside of Detroit, Michigan (the chapter on this is right on, too) and it's true that Montgomery County was this place that was pretty integrated but forgot about the importance of that when achievement became the big issue. the only problem with this book was the last chapter, it was on a topic which i really wanted to read about but could not stay awake. all in all, a good book that any good progressive needs to have on his or her bookshelf. C.
|
|
a readable (mostly) academic book!
Rating  (5)
Date: 2003-03-26
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This is an excellent book that I sat down to read for a class and it turned out to be actually compelling in many parts. The case studies (most of them) were excellent and persuasive. The book would have been better from more of this style all around, and maybe some connections -- some of the chapters were dull, but overall, a really complete overview that gets you thinking.
|
|
Excellent, cogent analysis
Rating (5)
Date: 2003-03-23
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
This is a fabulous overview of our nation's wholescale abandonment of policies and practices that had created desegregated schools in many cities and regions. The book, while scholarly, is really useful for activists, parents and other groups wanting to hang onto racial integration. I recommend it to anyone who cares about this topic.
|
|
|
|
|