Today marks the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. Charles J. Ogletree Jr. wrote a great editorial today about how this landmark decision affected our country.

We are right to question the significance of Brown and to acknowledge that much of its promise has not been fulfilled. Yet, we understate its significance if we fail to appreciate its role in eliminating overt forms of discrimination — “white only” schools, drinking fountains, hotels, restaurants, parks, beaches, and transportation — and creating a country where the potential for social justice might one day be achieved.

There seems to be a spate of editorials today written about Brown, in the Globe and in the NYT and papers across the country today. Brown seems to have failed though as more and more schools are becoming resegregated. A Supreme Court decision cannot alter the minds of American women and men obviously. But Brown did pave the way for a dream—a yet to be realized dream—but also an attainable dream. Perhaps one day everyone will receive an equal education and status will not be determined by how much is in your bank account. Maybe that’s just a dream too.
But today gives me a small bit of hope, as Massachusetts allows the first legal gay marriage this morning. To not be allowed to marry your chosen life partner is tragic. And I can only hope that no politician finds a way to reverse the marriages today. That would be a slap in the face to everyone, especially since today does mark the anniversary of Brown. I am not making any comparisons between the struggles here, but Brown v. Board of Eductation did realize that segregation was unequal and unconstitutional. I think the same applies to gay marriage. Not allowing it makes some people second-class citizens. And that is just wrong.