Desegregating New York City: A History of School Integration Efforts

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. Today, we are doing a deep dive into the historical analysis of the New York City desegregation efforts as it relates to my book Desegregation of the New York City Schools: A Story of The Silk Stocking Sisters. In this episode, we revisit the late 1800s to examine the deep-rooted history of segregation in New York and its enduring legacy today. From Governor Grover Clevelands 1884 abolition of colored schools to the delayed desegregation that didnt take place until 1957. We explore how the early 1900s experienced accelerating residential segregation, creating new forms of de facto school segregation.

This episode also highlights the cultural and political power of the Harlem Renaissance, during the 1920s and 1930s. This period fostered a profound sense of racial pride, cultural expression, economic independence, and progressive politics, even as segregation persisted. We examine the pivotal 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling and its role in prompting school desegregation efforts in New York City. We also spotlight the critical work of the Urban League of Greater New York, and reflect on the influential research of Dr. Kenneth Clark, including his impactful Doll Study, which exposed the psychological and educational harms of segregation. 

Join us as we connect the past to the present, uncovering the history of inequality in education. As we reflect on these systemic patterns, we ask, how much has really changed? Be sure to subscribe to The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast on the ALIVE Podcast Network app for more episodes!