Plessy vs. Ferguson

In Louisiana in 1890, a new law was adopted called "Separate but equal" on its railroads. In 1892, passenger Homer Plessy refused to sit in a Jim Crow car. He was brought before Judge John H. Ferguson of the Criminal Court for New Orleans, who upheld the state law. The law was challenged in the Supreme Court on grounds that it conflicted with the 13th and 14th Amendments. By a 7-1 vote, the Court said that a state law that “implies merely a legal distinction” between the two races did not conflict with the 13th Amendment forbidding involuntary servitude, nor did it tend to reestablish such a condition.

In class, we did a mock trial of this case. The two sids argued very valuable points.

The team siding for Plessy argued:

• All men are created equal. The constitution doesn't use the word slavery. The supremacy clause eating that the condition trumps all other laws including the Louisiana train law.

• Equal protection clause.

• Humanity is blind to class and so should be the laugh.

• Mr. Plessy is only 1/8 african american. He's "more white than black

State:

• Standing on firm legal grounds because it protects each race rom each other.

• Separation of the races will keep everyone safe.

In the end, the state ended up winning here in class.