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Va. university apologizes for segregation silence

By WTOP Staff

FARMVILLE, Va. (AP) — Longwood University is apologizing for its silence during Massive Resistance in Prince Edward County.

Massive Resistance was Virginia’s answer to a landmark Supreme Court decision banning racial segregation in the nation’s schools.

Prince Edward public schools closed their doors for five years rather than comply with the court. Many other localities in Virginia also stubbornly resisted, creating separate whites only schools.

Longwood President W. Taylor Reveley IV said the university practiced a “conspicuous silence” during that era.

Besides the apology, Longwoood established a new scholarship program to help make amends.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1wx9k0b) says the university’s board of visitors adopted the resolution expressing Longwood’s regret.

The resolution follows similar expressions of regret by the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia, among others.

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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.timesdispatch.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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