Separate But Equal

United States History

11th grade

D. ESTEVEZ

What does the phrase separate but

equal mean?

Break off into groups of 3-4.

Discuss what you think this phrase means.

Who does it apply to?

Can it be true?

PLESSY V. FERGUSON 1896

1890: Separate Car Act (Louisiana)

1892: Homer Plessy (1/8 Black) arrested for seating in 1st class
section.

Claims to have his 13th and 14th amendments are violated

Takes his case to the Supreme Court after losing twice in lower
courts.

The verdict.

We consider the underlying fallacy of the plaintiffs argument to consist in

the assumption that the enforced separation of the two races stamps the
colored race with a badge of inferiority. If this be so, it is not by reason of
anything found in the act, but solely because the colored race chooses to
put that construction upon it The argument also assumes that social
prejudice may be overcome by legislation, and that equal rights cannot be
secured except by an enforced commingling of the two races If the civil
and political rights of both races be equal, one cannot be inferior to the
other socially, the Constitution of the United States cannot put them upon
the same plane.
Justice Henry Brown of Michigan, May 18, 1896.

A 7-1 decision in favor of Ferguson and approved the separate but equal
clause. The Constitution did not prohibit segregation of all facilities were
qualitatively equal.

Jim Crow Laws

Jim Crow laws were practiced in southern and northern

United States during reconstruction.

De Jure & De facto

These laws made it legal to have separate institutions for

Blacks and Whites in the South.

Schools, restaurants, restrooms, etc.

The North's segregations was more customary. There wasnt

actual laws, instead old ideas.

Brown V. Board of Education 1954

Topeka, Kansas has a segregated school system in the 1950s.

Linda Brown was forced to walk to an all-Black school, even though there was
a much closer all-White school closer to her home.

Browns took case to the Supreme Court because they believed it violated the
14th amendment.

The verdict

Today, education is perhaps the most important function of state and local
governments. Compulsory school attendance laws and the great expenditures for
education both demonstrate our recognition of the importance of education to our
democratic society. It is required in the performance of our most basic public
responsibilities, even service in the armed forces. It is the very foundation of good
citizenship. Today it is the principal instrument in awakening the child to cultural
values, in preparing him for later professional training, and in helping him to adjust
normally in his environment. In these days, it is doubtful that any child may
reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an
education. Such an opportunity, where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a
right which must be made available to all on equal terms.
Chief Justice Warren, May 17, 1954.

Unanimous decision in favor f the Brown family. The desegregation of schools was
with all deliberate speed.

Civil Rights in the 1960s

62: Dolores Huerta & Cesar Chavez co-founded the National

Farm Workers Association

63: Letters from Birmingham; March on Washington, JFK

assassination

64: 24th Amendment; Civil Rights Act

65: Malcolm X murdered; Voting Rights Act; Watts Riots;

Affirmative Action

66: Black Panthers; Ca. grape strike

68:Robert Kennedy assassination; MLK assassination, East LA

walkouts, Mexico Olympics

Just a few amongst many other events

The Outcomes

Bussing to desegregate schools; affirmative action

African American elected into government positions

African Americans in music and television

Beating of Rodney King/ riots in Los Angeles

Minority groups still live under the poverty line

Imprisonment rates

Civil Rights in 2014

Women's rights?

Minorities?

LGBTQ Community?

So what do you think?

Free write for about 5 minutes with your own thoughts.

Be prepared to share with the rest of the class.