The Importance Of Segregation In The Brown V. Board Of Education

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Register to read the introduction… Board of Education, the ruling was merely a check against the majority to protect the rights of minorities. Majority rule is important in a democracy; yet when the majority infringes on rights of minorities, the power of the majority must be diminished in order for society to maintain justice. In Brown, it was noted that, “The plaintiffs contend that segregated public schools are not ‘equal’ and cannot be made ‘equal’ and that hence they are deprive of the equal protection of the laws” (188). It was disclosed that separate educational facilities were unequal and unjust, and thus it may hinder a child from gaining the educational rights he deserves and “to separate…generates a feeling of inferiority as their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone” (189). Segregation prevented minorities from gaining the equal rights they deserved and thus, it was important for them to achieve justice through Brown. In the end, the court declared segregation “a denial of the equal protection of the laws” and thus majority rule was shot down (190). The court’s interpretation of the constitution enabled minorities to achieve justice, which proved that majority rule does not always become overbearing. When minorities are protected by limits on majority rule, it benefits the majority by keeping harmony in society. Thus, the court ruling demonstrated that the people are still sovereign even though their legislation was invalid. The Brown court case was able to prove that minorities’ rights could be protected through court rulings even when the principles of a democracy are …show more content…
Board of Education. 347. U.S. 485 U.S. Supreme Court. 1954. Rpt. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 187-92. Print.
Hamilton, Alexander. “The Federalist No. 78.” 1788. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 75-78. Print.
King Jr., Martin Luther. “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” 1963. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 13-20. Print.
Madison, James. “The Federalist No. 10.” 1787. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 71-74. Print.
Mill, John Stuart. “Chapter 1: Introductory from On Liberty.” 1859. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 95-100. Print.
Plessy v. Ferguson. 163 U.S. 537 U.S. Supreme Court. 1896. Rpt. In Dimensions of Culture 2: Justice. Ed. Valerie Hartouni, Robert Horwitz and John Skrentny. San Diego: University Readers, 2011. 175-185.

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