Desegregation, Jigsaw, and the Mexican-American Experience

Abstract

In 1954, when the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed school segregation, hopes ran high that we might be on our way to a better society. At that time, many of us believed that, if only youngsters from various ethnic and racial backgrounds could share the same classroom, negative stereotypes would fade and cross-ethnic friendships would develop under the glow of contact. Ultimately, it was believed, these young people would grow into adults who would be largely free of the racial and ethnic prejudice that had plagued our society since its inception.