Plessy v. Ferguson 1896
Background: On June 7th, 1892, Homer Plessy was jailed for sitting in the "White" car of the East Louisiana Railroad. When the Separate Cart Act of 1892 was passed, legalizing segregating common carriers, a black civil rights organization challenged the laws in court. Plessy deliberately sat in the white only section and identified himself as black.
Issue: Did the Separate Car Act of 1892 violate the 13th/14th amendments.
Ruling/Impact: Chief Justice Melville Fuller ruled that the Louisiana segregation statue was legal, setting the precedent that "separate" facilities for blacks and whites were constitutional as long as they were "equal." This doctrine extended to many public places, such as restaurants and public schools, but remained more of a myth as black facilities were always inferior.
Issue: Did the Separate Car Act of 1892 violate the 13th/14th amendments.
Ruling/Impact: Chief Justice Melville Fuller ruled that the Louisiana segregation statue was legal, setting the precedent that "separate" facilities for blacks and whites were constitutional as long as they were "equal." This doctrine extended to many public places, such as restaurants and public schools, but remained more of a myth as black facilities were always inferior.