Question

• what was the impact and decision of plessy v. ferguson? what was the dissenting opinion and who was it?

Answer 1

The sole dissenting justice, John Marshall Harlan, was adamant in his opinion that the laws of Louisiana went against the personal liberties meant to be protected by the Constitution. He argued that the Constitution should be judged in a color-blind way: “In respect of civil rights common to all citizens, the Constitution of the United States does not, I think, permit any public authority to know the race of those entitled to be protected in the enjoyment of such rights.”

Explanation: edmentum answer

Answer 2

Plessy v. Ferguson, case in which the U.S. Supreme Court, on May 18, 1896, by a seven-to-one majority (one justice did not participate), advanced the controversial “separate but equal” doctrine for assessing the constitutionality of racial segregation laws.