Boston Confronts Legacy of School Busing Violence, 50 Years Later
Nearly half a century after a federal court ordered the desegregation of Boston’s public schools through busing, the city continues to grapple with the deep wounds and lasting consequences of that tumultuous era. The court-mandated plan, implemented in , aimed to dismantle decades of segregation and unequal funding, but instead ignited racial violence and bitter resistance, cementing Boston’s reputation as a city deeply divided by race.
The ruling by Judge W. Arthur Garrity found the Boston School Committee had illegally perpetuated segregation and allocated fewer resources to predominantly Black neighborhoods. As the first buses carrying students from Roxbury rolled into South Boston in , they were met with a barrage of rocks and bricks, and hateful epithets from enraged white residents. Police in riot gear struggled to contain the mob, while white parents opted to keep their children home rather than comply with the desegregation order.
The violence wasn’t confined to the streets. A searing image from that period – a white anti-busing protester attempting to stab Black lawyer Theodore Landsmark with an American flag at City Hall Plaza – became a symbol of Boston’s racial animosity. The events of 1974 left an “indelible stain on the city’s reputation,” according to experts examining the legacy of the court order.
Dennis Lehane, in his novel *Small Mercies*, vividly portrays the atmosphere of South Boston during this period. The book centers on the neighborhood as it “erupts with violence, rage, and massive resistance to the racial desegregation of Boston’s public schools.” Lehane’s work highlights how South Boston, in particular, became the focal point of the conflict, with its working-class Irish community fiercely resisting the changes.
While the intent of the busing plan was to achieve more equal educational opportunity, the results were, at best, mixed. A recent report from a state education oversight panel indicates that a majority of public schools in Massachusetts remain segregated today, suggesting that the underlying issues of racial and economic inequality persist.
The busing crisis wasn’t simply about race. it also exposed deep class divisions within the city. The resistance largely came from working-class white families who feared for the safety of their children and perceived the plan as a threat to their community. The situation underscored the complex interplay between race, class, and access to quality education.
In recent years, discussions surrounding the legacy of busing have evolved. While the initial focus was on racial integration, some now argue that the core issue has shifted to class. The disparities in funding and resources between schools in different neighborhoods continue to perpetuate inequality, regardless of racial composition.
The events of 1974 and their aftermath continue to resonate in Boston today. Teen Empowerment Youth Organizers Kendra Gerald and Dante Omorogbe participated in a speak-out led by Boston Mayor Walsh in , demonstrating ongoing efforts to address issues of racism and inequality within the city. The conversation about race and education remains a critical one, as Boston strives to overcome its painful past and build a more equitable future.
The legacy of Boston’s busing crisis serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of achieving racial integration and the importance of addressing systemic inequalities. It highlights the need for comprehensive solutions that tackle both racial and economic disparities in education, and the enduring impact of historical trauma on communities.
