What Is The Case Of Plessy V. Ferguson

A poignant question that has been raised throughout American society since the constitution was written is should it be the responsibility of the law to change society or to protect the original intent of the country’s forefathers? The challenge with the original document is it left out everyone that was not a white male, meaning women and people of color. With regards to civil rights and liberties, the law should accommodate the needs of a society rather than dominate a select group or groups of people due to an existing standard of racial oppression.
One of the difficulties regarding the Plessy vs. Ferguson case was the fact that southern whites were still not willing to view African Americans as equals because it threatened their belief
He argued that blacks being able to advance themselves in society would eventually change the social laws. As he stated after the ruling of Plessy v. Ferguson, “He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both Negro and American without being cursed and spit upon by his fellows, without losing the opportunity of self-development” (DuBois 144). DuBois’ views differed greatly from Morgan’s and Hoffman’s due to DuBois’ desire to see African Americans be given the same rights and protection under the law. DuBois’ argument presents a clear principle that the ruling from the Supreme Court was unjust and that laws should change to improve and protect the rights of its populace. The ruling from Plessy v. Ferguson essentially set a legal precedent of African Americans being second-class citizens for several generations
Equal opportunity does not equate equal rights. The ruling from the Supreme Court stating that facilities must be “separate but equal” became a mask to hide the underlying racial turmoil. A potential explanation for this decision may have been to avert the backlash that would have come with letting African Americans ride in integrated train cars. Being given an equal opportunity does not take into account the social backgrounds of the people involved. An equal opportunity is futile if there is systematic oppression and loopholes within these laws. Being forced to ride in an unfurnished train car, for example, compared to one with comfortable seating, lights, etc., limits civil liberties and prolongs the image of inferiority associated with African Americans. Seven learned justices exemplified the image that the South (or the entire United States) was not ready to swiftly change its belief system wholeheartedly. The 7-1 decision favoring the Louisiana Law showed the flaws in the wording of the 14th Amendment which allowed an interpretation of the amendment to continue the cycle of segregation in the South for years to