What is two cheers for brown v board of education?

"Two cheers for Brown v. Board of Education" is a phrase used to express qualified praise for the landmark Supreme Court case that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. While widely celebrated as a monumental victory for civil rights, the phrase suggests that the decision, while incredibly important, wasn't a complete or immediate solution to the problem of racial segregation and inequality.

The "two cheers" instead of three acknowledges several shortcomings:

* Limited Enforcement: The decision itself didn't automatically desegregate schools. Massive resistance from Southern states, including legal challenges and delaying tactics, significantly hindered implementation. The actual desegregation process was slow, uneven, and often met with violence.

* De Facto Segregation: While *de jure* segregation (segregation by law) was outlawed, *de facto* segregation (segregation in practice, often due to housing patterns and other societal factors) persisted and in many ways continues to this day. Brown v. Board didn't address the deeper, systemic roots of racial inequality.

* Focus on Schools Only: The decision focused specifically on public education, leaving other forms of segregation largely untouched.

In essence, "two cheers" recognizes the immense historical significance of Brown v. Board of Education in dismantling legal segregation but simultaneously acknowledges the incomplete nature of its victory and the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality. It's a nuanced perspective that avoids simplistic celebrations while still acknowledging the case's importance.