Plessy v. Ferguson

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 Plessy v. Ferguson 

Facts 

Petitioner: Homer Adolph Plessy 

Respondent: John Ferguson 

Location: Old Louisiana State Capital

Decided by:  Fuller court 

Time: April 13,1896- May 18, 1896

Advocates: A.W Tourgee, Samuel Field Phillips, Alexander Porter House

What was the case?

Louisiana legislated the Separate Car Act, which needed separate railway cars for blacks and whites. In 1892, Homer Plessy participated in a test to contest the Act. He was solicited by the Committee of citizens, a group of New Orleans residents who sought to repeal the act. Plessy was encouraged by the committee to sit in a ‘ whites only ’ automobile.


When Plessy was told to vacate he refused and was arrested. It was argued by Plessy’s attorneys that the Separate Car Act violated the 13th and 14th Amendments. The judge found that Louisiana could execute this law insofar as it affected railroads. Plessy was condemned.

Arguments 

Plessy: secluded facilities violate the Equal Protection Clause. As a completely partaking citizen, Plessy shouldn't have been denied any rights of citizenship. He shouldn't have been required to give up public rights or access.

State of Louisiana: The Right of each state to make rules to cover public safety. secluded facilities reflected public will in Louisiana.

A separate but equal establishment provided the protections guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.

Civil Rights cases of 1883 made clear that Segregation in private motifs is of no concern to the government.


Conclusion/ Holding

The decision was 7-1 for Ferguson. ‘ Equal but separate accommodations for whites and blacks imposed by Louisiana do not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.’ 


The Court held that state law was Valid and constitutional. The 14th Amendment intended to establish absolute equality for the races before the law but held that separate treatment did not imply African Americans.

Segregation did not in itself constitute unlawful discrimination. However, this decision was overruled by the Supreme Court in 1954. 

Does the Separate Car Act violate the 14th Amendment?

Only after 56 years was unjust of this ruling reversed i.e when ‘ separate but equal was declared invalid and unconstitutional. Separate but equal is still inherently unequal and is a violation of the 14th Amendment. It's a simple concept of middle-ground human fallacy. What's half wrong, is fully wrong. Stealing half the rice is still stealing. 

                                                                                                                   ~ Lincoln Case of Slavery 

Therefore, separation/segregation is still denying equality to minorities, regardless of the facilities. As even C.J Warren mentioned, this instills a sense of inferiority that has a hugely detrimental effect on the personal growth of minorities.

Therefore, the state law went against the foundation of the constitution and the spirit of democracy that America promised.

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