The Politics of Race and Schooling: Public Education in Georgia, 1900-1961

Access to fair and free public education is one of the cornerstones of American democracy. Yet, in many parts of the country, this ideal has only been realized in the 20th century. As Thomas O'Brien argues, access to education in the state of Georgia has historically been restricted along the lines of race, class and religion. Black, poor and rural students fared extremely poorly in the Jim Crowera Georgia public school system as politically powerful groups fought to maintain a two-tier educational structure that favoured their own children over those from the disadvantaged, voiceless majority. This volume forms a contribution to the ongoing debate about the shameful uneven quality of public education in America, its historic roots, and the difficulties standing in the way of reform.