Crash Course Black American History: Plessy v. Ferguson
Introduction
- Speaker: Clint Smith
- Focus on legal cases used to oppress and liberate Black Americans.
- Law isn't neutral; historically used to maintain Black Americans as second-class citizens.
- Discussion on the landmark Supreme Court case: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).
Plessy v. Ferguson Overview
- Established and formalized racial segregation in America.
- Allowed Black and White Americans to be kept separate under the false premise of equal facilities.
- Legitimized racist laws in Southern states.
Background of the Case
- Homer Plessy: Shoemaker, 1/8 Black, involved in activism.
- Reflects "one-drop rule" - a social construct to maintain power demarcations.
- New Orleans had a multiracial society with a significant free Black population.
The Separate Car Act
- Separate Car Act of 1890: Segregated railroad cars by race in Louisiana.
- Black activists in New Orleans, including Plessy, challenged this law.
- Committee of Citizens: Organized a protest using Plessy as a test case.
- Plan: Plessy arrested for sitting in "Whites Only" car to challenge the law in court.
The Supreme Court Case
- Court Appeal: Plessy's case progressed to the Supreme Court.
- Plessy's lawyers argued it violated the 13th and 14th Amendments.
- 13th Amendment: Abolished slavery.
- 14th Amendment: Provided citizenship and equal protection.
- The court argued separation didn’t imply inferiority.
Court Decision and Impact
- Decision: 7-1 in favor of Ferguson, upholding Louisiana’s segregation law.
- Justice Henry Brown: Separation is not a badge of inferiority.
- Justice John Marshall Harlan: Dissented, constitution should be colorblind.
- Legalized segregation and humiliation of Black Americans; began the Jim Crow era.
Consequences and Reflection
- Supreme Court failed a moral test; protected white supremacy through segregation.
- Facilities for Black Americans were inferior, perpetuating inequality.
- Importance of understanding the judicial system's role in shaping social landscape.
- Call for future change towards justice and equality.
Conclusion
- The Plessy v. Ferguson case serves as a reminder of the judicial system's impact.
- Future possibilities for enacting laws and rulings centered on justice and equity.
Thank you for watching Crash Course Black American History. See you next time.