Separate but equal, Jim Crow and Plessy v. Ferguson
By Paula Diaz, The New York Times
NEW ORLEANS, LA— On June 7, 1982, Mr. Homer Plessy challenged the constitutionality of “separate but equal”. He boarded a train in New Orleans that was intended only for whites and allowed himself to be arrested.
Though he had the appearance of a white man, because he was one-eighth African American, He was not allowed to ride in the whites-only car. His refusal to leave the train car had the impact he had hoped for.
In his refusal to leave the train car, Mr. Plessy was arrested, and during his incarceration, he was able to prompt a legal case about the constitutionality of segregation. After years of appeals, in 1896, the Supreme Court ruled that “separate but equal” was fair and did not violate the fourteenth amendment. …show more content…
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The only objector, Justice John Harlan, understood the consequences of the decision. He said, "Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law…”
The idea of “separate but equal” began to expand to other areas including schools, restaurants, bathrooms, and various other public areas.
Jim Crow laws were created to keep African Americans and Caucasians from ever crossing paths. Though they were mainly created to prevent Blacks from being equal to Whites, some Caucasians actually felt that it was not fair because they believed that African Americans were, in fact, equal to them.
After the Supreme Court had made their decision, segregation became more prominent, and many states began enforcing laws that made it difficult for African Americans to do certain
By Paula Diaz, The New York Times
NEW ORLEANS, LA— On June 7, 1982, Mr. Homer Plessy challenged the constitutionality of “separate but equal”. He boarded a train in New Orleans that was intended only for whites and allowed himself to be arrested.
Though he had the appearance of a white man, because he was one-eighth African American, He was not allowed to ride in the whites-only car. His refusal to leave the train car had the impact he had hoped for.
In his refusal to leave the train car, Mr. Plessy was arrested, and during his incarceration, he was able to prompt a legal case about the constitutionality of segregation. After years of appeals, in 1896, the Supreme Court ruled that “separate but equal” was fair and did not violate the fourteenth amendment. …show more content…
...”
The only objector, Justice John Harlan, understood the consequences of the decision. He said, "Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law…”
The idea of “separate but equal” began to expand to other areas including schools, restaurants, bathrooms, and various other public areas.
Jim Crow laws were created to keep African Americans and Caucasians from ever crossing paths. Though they were mainly created to prevent Blacks from being equal to Whites, some Caucasians actually felt that it was not fair because they believed that African Americans were, in fact, equal to them.
After the Supreme Court had made their decision, segregation became more prominent, and many states began enforcing laws that made it difficult for African Americans to do certain