Question

case 1: plessy v. ferguson (1896)
louisiana passed a law in 1890 segregating train cars for blacks and whites, as long as the cars were equal in quality. in 1892, homer plessy, who was only ⅛ black, sat in a whites - only train car, was arrested, and sued louisiana saying that the segregation violated the equal protections clause of the 14th amendment. he lost the case, sued the judge (whose last name was ferguson), lost in louisiana supreme court, and then appealed to the supreme court, which, in a 7 - 1 decision, stated:
the object of the amendment was undoubtedly to enforce the absolute equality of the two races before the law, but...it could not have been intended to abolish distinctions based upon color, or to enforce social, as distinguished from political, equality, or a commingling of the two races upon terms unsatisfactory to either. laws permitting, and even requiring, their separation in places where they are liable to be brought into contact do not necessarily imply the inferiority of either race to the other...

1. do you agree that the 14th amendment was intended to enforce equality of the two races before the law, but not intended to abolish distinctions based on color or enforce social equality? explain.
2. do you agree that separation does not imply the inferiority of either race to the other? or do you think that separating people does imply that one race is inferior to the other? explain your thinking.

Explanation:

1. The 14th Amendment aimed for legal - equality. However, not abolishing color - based distinctions and not enforcing social equality goes against the spirit of true equality. Social and legal aspects are intertwined, and color - based distinctions often lead to unequal social treatment. True equality should strive to eliminate all forms of discriminatory distinctions.
2. Separation inherently implies a difference in treatment. Even if the facilities are said to be equal in quality, the act of separating people based on race sends a message that the races are not to be mixed, which can be interpreted as an indication of inferiority or superiority. Segregation was used historically to maintain white - dominated social structures and limit the rights and opportunities of non - white races.

Answer:

1. No. The 14th Amendment should aim for comprehensive equality, and color - based distinctions and lack of social equality undermine the true meaning of legal equality.
2. No. Separation based on race implies a sense of difference in worth or status between the races.