Delaware judge’s role in ending school segregation is Oct. 22 topic

In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the civil rights ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, in which the Supreme Court ruled separating children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional, the Lewes Public Library will host an expert discussion, “Collins Seitz: How One Trial Judge Helped Usher in a New Day of Racial Justice in Delaware,” at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes, and live online via Zoom.

The Delaware case argued with Brown was unlike any other, thanks to Chancery Judge Collins J. Seitz’s ruling against school segregation. It was the first of its kind in the nation and reflected Seitz’s long-held commitment to racial justice.

Hosted by renowned legal scholar Ronald Collins, the conversation will feature Delaware Department of Human Resources Secretary Claire DeMatteis, Esq., who is writing the authorized biography of Seitz, and Delaware educator Kathleen Marie Doyle, author of “Allies for Justice: How Louis Redding and Collins Seitz Changed the Complexion of America’s Schools.”

Registration is required. At registration, participants will be asked to select virtual or in-person attendance. To sign up, go to lewes.lib.de.us or call 302-645-2733.

“Though a seminal figure of racial justice in Delaware and elsewhere, Judge Collins Seitz Sr. has yet to receive the full recognition he deserves. Thankfully, Claire DeMatteis, Judge Seitz’s official biographer, is ideally suited to shine an illuminating light on the man and his legacy,” said Collins. “Moreover, Kathleen Marie Doyle, who has authored a book on the struggle to desegregate Delaware schools, can offer invaluable context to round out our picture of this courageous and gifted Delaware jurist.”

The discussion is the third in a series of community events on racial justice in Delaware co-developed by Chanta Howard Wilkinson, Esq., a diversity, equity, inclusion and justice expert, and Collins, Lewes Public Library distinguished lecturer. The series aims to educate the public about the history of desegregation through an understanding of the times, communities, challenges and aftermath.