Mock Trial Reaction

Plessy v. Ferguson: A Case Study in Constitutional Rights and Segregation

The case under consideration today is Plessy v. Ferguson. Homer Plessy, an African American man of mixed heritage who was one-eighth Black, was deliberately selected by the legal team due to his light complexion. His appearance allowed him to access privileges typically reserved for white individuals that were denied to people of color. This landmark case called into question state legislation and raised constitutional issues regarding the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Religious and Moral Foundations

The Bible says that everyone is equal and it demands the inherent dignity of all people. Most of America's decisions throughout this time period were based on Christian values. Segregation is considered unjust and The Golden Rule states "treat others how you would want to be treated."

Historical Context After the Civil War

The history after the Civil war was to destroy the unequal system. There was an act called The Separate Car Act where whites and blacks had to hop on different train cars. The Separate Car Act maintained public order without violating constitutional rights. African Americans in Louisiana were not considered citizens but they were paying taxes. This was a form of taxation without representation.

Then the thirteenth amendment ended slavery statute. This stated that all citizens should have equal rights no matter their skin color. After this Plessy suffered immediate harm which violates the protection under the fourteenth amendment.

Economic Considerations

Segregation in railroads boosts profits and attracts northern investments. It preserves property values, economic stability, and aligns with natural social preferences. As there was racial segregation on railroads, the case examines separate but equal railroad accommodations for different races.

Constitutional Questions

The Bill of rights doesn't contemplate having two classes. The types of laws in the Bill of Rights are created in the caste system. A law that denied blacks from being in a court room denied their rights. You can question where the argument ends because it can be about religion too. Congress can't rule over a case like the Dred Scott case.

The Plessy v. Ferguson case remains a pivotal moment in American legal history, highlighting the tension between constitutional rights, economic interests, and social practices of the era.

Legal Arguments and Implications

Mr. Barnes argued the relevance of the 1878 hall case in state law context. The court ruled against state law restricting freedom of association affecting interstate commerce. It forced integration risks boycott, business disruption, and decreased investment due to instability. The economic activity can increase despite concerns of negative community effects.

Defending Segregation: Historical Legal Arguments

During the civil rights era, Louisiana and other states defended segregation through three key arguments. First, they claimed segregation maintained public order and safety, preventing social unrest. Second, they argued "separate but equal" facilities satisfied constitutional requirements as long as quality was comparable. Third, some invoked religious justification, claiming the Bible supported social order and hierarchy.

Defenders pointed to Sunday worship as evidence that segregation was natural, noting people of different religions gathered separately. However, this confound voluntary religious association with government-mandated racial separation.

The "separate but equal" doctrine, established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), was ultimately struck down in Brown v. Board of Education (1954). The Supreme Court recognized that separation itself created inequality, regardless of facility quality, because it implied inferiority and caused psychological harm to segregated groups.