Decision
In 1896, Homer Plessy appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that he was white (he was 7/8 white and 1/8 black) and could sit in the white car on a Louisiana train. The conductor, however, said he was black and had to sit in the colored car along with paying a $25 fine because he had sat in the white car. Plessy refused to pay because he believed he was sitting in the right car. When the Supreme court took the case, a judge, John Ferguson, claimed that Plessy’s argument was invalid. The Court rejected Plessy’s argument claiming Louisiana had not violated the 14th amendment and separate but equal facilities based on race were legal.
The Supreme Court failed to uphold their responsibilities. Individual states also had a responsibility to follow the ruling the court gave by providing equal facilities. However, in most cases the facilities were second-class at best compared to white facilities. This failure led to the continuation segregation and discrimination for the next 60 years.
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"The thin disguise of "equal" accommodations for passengers in railroad coaches will not mislead anyone, nor atone for the wrong this day done.... "
John Marshall Harlan, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court- 1896
John Marshall Harlan, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court- 1896