Plessy v. Ferguson

Plessy v. Ferguson

This was a petition filed in the supreme court of Louisiana

in 1896, by Homer Plessy, the plaintiff. He filed this

petition against the Honorable John H. Ferguson, judge of

The petitioner was a citizen of the United States and a

descent meaning he had both white and African American

ethnic backgrounds. Keep in mind that at this time Blacks

were not considered equal to whites. Mr. Plessy to be exact

was seven-eights Caucasian and one-eighth African American

blood. The amount of African American in his blood was

hardly discernable to say the least. He therefore felt he

was entitled to every recognition, rights, privileges,

and immunities secured to the citizens of the United States

of the of the white race by its constitution and laws, that

on June 7, 1892, he engaged and paid for a first class

passage on the East Louisiana Railway. The trip from New

Orleans to Covington, in the same state, and thereupon

entered a passenger train, and took possession of a vacant

seat in a coach where passengers of the white race were

accommodated, that such railroad company was incorporated

by the laws of Louisiana as a common carrier. It was not

authorized to distinguished between citizens according to

their race, but, the petitioner was required by the

conductor, under the penalty of ejection from the white

car, he was then imprisoned by the conductor aided by a

police officer, for no other reason than race he was

imprisoned. With the help of police officers they hurried

him off the train and took him immediately to the county

Parish's office. In New Orleans there held to answer a

charge made by such officer t...

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...ality of the two races, or re-establish a state of

involuntary servitude. Indeed we do not understand that the

plaintiff strenuously relies upon the thirteenth amendment.

This case was one that really brought about a reform

in civil right laws. It also gave the civil rights movement

a pretty good kick-start. This case was a sound decision 9-

0. This rare thing for 9 Supreme Court justices to agree

on a decision. But whereas they thought this decision would

end the entire civil rights dispute, the decision only

enraged blacks and civil rights activist into fighting

harder to correct the problems facing American society. I

feel that this is one of the most influential cases to ever

reach the Supreme Court. Without crucial decisions such as

these, I do not feel that our country would be where it is

today.