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012319 School Segregationists
Equity & Diversity Collection

The Schools That Bear the Names of Segregationists

Schools named in honor of post-Civil War politicians who supported racial segregation are located in eight states throughout the South, 澳门跑狗论坛 found. These 22 schools bear the names of members of Congress who in 1956 signed what was known as the Southern Manifesto, a document that vociferously opposed the integration of public schools in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court鈥檚 ruling in Brown v. Board of Education that declared racial segregation of public schools unconstitutional. Unlike the schools that memorialize Confederate leaders, those named for segregationists haven鈥檛 provoked the same level of scrutiny or prompted as many campaigns to rename them. But in one South Carolina community, black students and residents fought long ago to change the name of Strom Thurmond High School, without success. Named for one of the state鈥檚 most influential politicians and one of its foremost supporters of segregation, Strom Thurmond High has a student body that is currently 50 percent African-American.

Students at Strom Thurmond High School in Johnston, S.C., make their way to class late last year. The school鈥攏amed in honor of one of South Carolina鈥檚 most influential politicians and most notable opponents to the integration of schools鈥攈as a student body that is 50 percent African-American. Past efforts to rename the school failed and a state law passed in the 1980s made the name permanent.
Students at Strom Thurmond High School in Johnston, S.C., make their way to class late last year. The school鈥攏amed in honor of one of South Carolina鈥檚 most influential politicians and most notable opponents to the integration of schools鈥攈as a student body that is 50 percent African-American. Past efforts to rename the school failed and a state law passed in the 1980s made the name permanent.
Gerry Melendez for 澳门跑狗论坛
Students in Johnston, S.C., walk past a portrait of the late Strom Thurmond, their school鈥檚 namesake and long-time U.S. senator who prominently opposed school integration. After black families decades ago fought to shed Thurmond鈥檚 name, a state law passed to make the name permanent.
Students in Johnston, S.C., walk past a portrait of the late Strom Thurmond, their school鈥檚 namesake and long-time U.S. senator who prominently opposed school integration. After black families decades ago fought to shed Thurmond鈥檚 name, a state law passed to make the name permanent.
Gerry Melendez for 澳门跑狗论坛
Students at Robert E. Lee High School walk past a statue of the Confederate general who is the namesake of the Montgomery, Ala., high school. The school鈥檚 student body now is predominantly African-American and some students and community members have pushed for the removal of the statue.
Students at Robert E. Lee High School walk past a statue of the Confederate general who is the namesake of the Montgomery, Ala., high school. The school鈥檚 student body now is predominantly African-American and some students and community members have pushed for the removal of the statue.
Albert Cesare/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP-File