Segregation in Milwaukee?

MILWAUKEE-- Dozens of students and several MPS leaders marked the 60th anniversary of Brown vs. The Board of Education, the Supreme Court decision that ended legal segregation in american schools.



Brown versus Board of Education had a wide ranging impact, beyond education. But 60 years later, many say Milwaukee is going backwards intead of forward.



Barbara Miner, a freelance writer, wrote an opinion column in the Washington Post about public education and segregation in Milwaukee. She says Milwaukee is one of the country's most segregated areas, both racially and in terms of poverty.



\"In the 1960's, the segregation in milwaukee was within the city. Today, we've expanded that, and we have a segregated metropolitan region,\" said Miner.



Miner said it was important for her to send out a message to the nation and the world, that eventhough it's important to celebrate the 60 year anniversary, but its also important to revitalize the promise of that victory.



\"The segregation today is more sophisticated... it's built on racial steering in real estate, its built on trasnportation policy,\" added Miner.



Education, is also a factor, according to Bob Peterson, President of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association.



\"What we have in milwaukee is defacto segregation.. based on issues of race and economics... because they are born in a certain zip code area, they are at a really disadvantage,\" said Peterson.



On Saturday, May 17th, Miner and Peterson will both be at a parade to call for community action. The parade called \"Fulfill the promise\" will begin at 10 a.m. at Martin Luther King Park en Milwaukee.