Bluford vs. Canada: Memorandum Opinion

Memorandum opinion in the civil case of Lucile Bluford vs. S. W. Canada, registrar at the University of Missouri. Canada's lawyers entered a motion to dismiss the case on the grounds that the facts don't support the claim. The document asserts that Bluford was refused admittance to the university "upon the ground that she was a negro," and that Canada "was carrying out the rules and regulations of the statutory governing body of the University," with Lincoln University existing for the education of black students. It is also argued that Bluford made no demand for instruction at Lincoln nor allowed them ample time to establish a department of journalism as it provided for by the Supreme Court, and reiterates that Missouri "has the constitutional right to furnish equal facilities in separate schools if it so desires" under multiple precendents. The judge further states that Bluford must properly apply to Lincoln Unversity and be refused the establishment of a program of study, and "may not anticipate such refusal." At the time, Bluford was the managing editor of the Kansas City Call and her effort to gain admittance to the masters degree program at MU's School of Journalism, and repeated denials due to her race, lead to a case that eventually was heard before the Missouri Supreme Court.