7-2 Short response

Module 6-2: Causes and Consequences of the Boston Busing Crisis

Name

Institution

1. What events or historical forces contributed to the Boston busing crisis of the mid-1970s?

Many schools in Boston were racially imbalanced, having more than 90% of white students in a single school, while others had just as many black students. The busing crisis was meant to fight for desegregation in schools whereby both white and colored children would get a similar quality of education. Schools with black children were offered poor quality education. The court also issued a ruling against racial segregation in schools ruling that all schools begin the desegregation process, which was being delayed by predominantly white schools causing parents of children of color to take matters into their own hands. Thirdly, it was argued that the school committee had deliberately caused the segregation in Boston schools, and they had voted 3-2 against balancing schools in Boston (Delmont, & Theoharis, 2017).

2. Name three specific consequences of the Boston busing crisis.

The busing crisis led to the birth of a more accepting society. After the crisis, Boston more accepting of diversity in the population, accommodating white people and people of color. The crisis also led to an increased moving rate into the suburbs, white families leaving the urban areas more populated with people of color. There was speedy desegregation in schools in Boston. The school committee was chosen and selected by the mayor rather than the usual election (Delmont, & Theoharis, 2017).

References

Delmont, M., & Theoharis, J. (2017). Introduction: Rethinking the Boston “Busing Crisis”.