Getting Around Brown: Desegregation, Development, and the Columbus Public Schools

Urban Life and Urban Landscape

by Gregory S. Jacobs

Getting Around Brown is both the first history of school desegregation in Columbus, Ohio, and the first case study to explore the interplay of desegregation, business, and urban development in America. Drawing on a broad range of sources, including over sixty interviews, the book details the causes and consequences of Penick v. Columbus Board of Education (1977). Gregory S. Jacobs argues that school desegregation in Columbus failed to produce equal educational opportunity, not because it was inherently detrimental to learning, but because it was incompatible with urban development. As a consequence, the long-term health of the city school district was sacrificed to preserve the growth of the city itself. The resulting middle-class abandonment of urban education in Columbus produced an increasingly poor, African-American city school system and a powerful form of defensive activism within the overwhelmingly white suburban systems. The title of the book refers not only to the elaborate tools used to circumvent the spirit of the Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision but also to the need to move beyond the flawed dichotomies and failed policies that have come to define desegregation. The book calls for a reconsideration of the complicated relationship race, class, and housing patterns have with city school reform efforts, a relationship obscured by this country’s vitriolic and occasionally violent battle over busing. Jacobs concludes his study with a “modest proposal,” in which he recommends the abolition of the Columbus Public School District, the dispersal of its students throughout surrounding suburban systems, and the creation of a choice-based “experimental education zone” within the old city school district boundaries. Readable and relevant, Getting around Brown is essential reading for scholars of recent American history, urban studies, civil rights and race relations, and educational policy, as well as anyone interested in public education and politics.

Genres: Nonfiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1997

Reviews

[Ellen Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chilling read of Columbus’ history of desegregation and how racism, as well as profit and city expansion/development took precedent over children, families, and education. A dense, textbook-like read that pieces together many elements and factors that still ring true today. It was interesting to read familiar names of local business leaders, politicians, and developers while learning their roles in upholding systems of profit over people and systems of oppression over equal opportunity and quality of life for all. I enjoyed reading the author’s creative dreams and ideas of ways to address these issues. I would be interested in a second edition of this book that picks up in the 90’s and discusses where Columbus Public Schools are at now, as well as present day dreams/ideas to strengthen our education system and community that puts the people first.

[Alex Mobley Hildebrandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dense at times but I appreciated the historical and political detail for the context at which changes occurred in Columbus. I would love to see a 2nd edition with updates on his thoughts about the last 20 years of Columbus City Schools and its future.

[Cameron Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though it’s become a bit dated now, it provides a detailed intro to how the 20th century influenced the segregation and quality of Columbus’ schools.

[Kevin Fulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book on how desegregating schools in Columbus happened peacefully, but with significant resistance. If you are interested in desegregation and/or Columbus, I would highly recommend it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am always down for an expose on columbus city schools (as a former ccs student)

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2023 Task #3: Read a book about activism; Task 12: Read a nonfiction book about BIPOC and/or queer history; and Task 14: Read a book with under 500 Goodreads ratings.

This proved to be a very interesting (although dry at times) and important read. It showed me the history and reasons about some of the assumptions I've made, and conjecture I've heard, about how Columbus developed as a city, community and region; especially in a way that was foreign to me as having grown up in a rusting-Midwestern town. Further, It puts a spotlight on how the Columbus Schools, the City and it's suburbs have come to provide education for certain areas that Columbus annexed "Common areas" and the underlying racism and motivations of those decisions. It's sad to know this book was written a quarter-century ago, and nothing has really changed. :-(