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The Way it Was is not the Way it Has to be

by Tom Scelza

24 pages; Saddle stitched; catalogue #04-0430; ISBN 1-4120-2602-4; US$10.96, C$10.96, EUR7.49, £5.66

A long time ago, a little girl wanted to go to school in her neighborhood. Her name was Linda Brown. But she was not allowed to - that was the law.

About the Book

Some may remember it well. Shortly before 1:00 p.m. on May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision in the case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, declaring that segregated schools did not provide "equal protection for all." This decision riveted throughout the nation as the Court struck at the heart of all legalized segregation. Although neither schools nor other public facilities immediately became integrated, this court case was a significant milestone on the road toward equality and justice for all people.

But it's the children and their families' voices that are often left out as more and more groups begin to formally commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of this landmark decision.

The children's book, The WAY that it WAS is NOT the way it HAS to be, written by Dr. Thomas I Scelza, presents this story in a reader and user friendly, accurate, pictorial format.

It is our desire that this will be a book for the whole family, where families may get together in the comfort of their homes or other safe, secure, and positive learning environments, and share and build upon this rich history. Further, it is the author's and those associated with this project's belief that in re-telling this story, from a child-centered perspective, that each of us will resolve to reach out even more to those from diverse racial and ethnic groups in an effort to share our pasts, obtain a deeper appreciation of each other, and form a blueprint to work collaboratively to live in a nation and world of peace, equality, and social justice.

About the Author

Dr. Thomas I Scelza is an art instructor in the public school system in Orange County, Florida. With an Ed. D. in Educational Leadership, he has written extensively on legal issues from an educational perspective, and infuses multicultural education in his art studies, and continues to seek new avenues of increasing diversity in art programs.