Separate is not equal! Young historians analyze the petition from the U.S. Supreme Court case Mendez v. Westminster filed in 1945 and examine background material about the case. They then compare it to the more famous Brown v. Board of Education case.

Concepts

desegregation, supreme court cases, prejudice, racism, civil rights, hispanic culture, the separate but equal doctrine, the fourteenth amendment, close reading

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Instructional Ideas

• Use during Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15 or during a study of civil rights or school desegregation
• Assign the petition as homework the day before the lesson and have readers annotate the text with questions and commentary

Classroom Considerations

• Presumes class members are familiar with the Brown v. Board of Education decision

Pros

• Includes information about how the case preceded and influenced the Brown v. Board of Education ruling

Cons

• None