Legal Definitions - Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Definition: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) was a Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the doctrine of "separate but equal."

Overview: In 1890, Louisiana passed a law that required railroad companies to provide separate accommodations for white and black passengers. Homer Plessy, a man who was 7/8 Caucasian and 1/8 Black, was arrested for refusing to leave a whites-only passenger car. Plessy argued that the law violated his rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law. However, the Supreme Court ruled against him, stating that the law was constitutional as long as the separate facilities were equal in quality.

Example: Plessy v. Ferguson is an example of how the Supreme Court can interpret the Constitution in a way that allows for discrimination. The Court's decision in this case allowed for segregation to continue in the United States for several decades, leading to widespread inequality and injustice for Black Americans.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution can have a significant impact on society. In this case, the Court's decision allowed for segregation to continue, which had a devastating effect on Black Americans. It shows how the law can be used to justify discrimination and how important it is to have a fair and impartial judiciary that upholds the principles of equality and justice for all.