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Back to Subjects - American History

Black struggle for equality

Black struggle for equality It took almost 400 years for African Americans to achieve their freedom. Freedom which was appointed to them by the US constitution. Ever since blacks arrived in America they were looked upon as the "inferior race." Whites would go to almost any extent to express their hatred towards the blacks. The K.K.K. was as powerful as ever. Emotions ran high, especially in the South. Which was where the infamous case of Plessy v. Ferguson(1896) originated. In this case the court supported the constitutionality of a Louisiana law requiring separate but equal facilities for whites and blacks in railroad cars. Racial discrimination in America was heavily strengthened by this decision. For more than 50 years, most states used the "separate but equal" rule to segregate the races in most all public facilities. This was soon too change. The system of "Separate but Equal" began to crumble in the mid 1900's. The peak of this collapse occurred in 1954, during the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, in which the Supreme Court ruled against the Leading up to this case, there were four key events which led to the abomination of this un-constitutional law; those being a monumental reference to the 14th amendment in the Brown vs. Board case, the organizing of minority groups who set out to fight the battle of inequality, numerous cases regarding the "separate but equal laws," and Chief Justice's theory on the issue of segregation in the The first of these arguments which Brown pointed out was a reference to the Fourteenth Amendment, which was added to the US constitution after the Civil War. In the first section of the fourteenth amendment is clearly stated that "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive and person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law"(Source 1, Fourteenth Amendment). Despite how succinct this law is, for some reason it wasn't followed in the South. When several white southerners jump a single Negro, the Negro takes the fall. These types of events happened all too often. Events which clearly went against everything written in the Fourteenth Amendment. "...;nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws"(Source 1, Fourteenth Amendment). This excerpt alone should of given blacks equal treatment. The second argument is supported by what was called the era of inequality, where there were many groups which set out to create an equal society. Most of these groups were minority groups. They all felt that racial discrimination must be eliminated from all forms of society. The American Veterans Committee (AVC) is a nationwide organization of veterans who fought in both of the World Wars, and the Korean war. There, they fought a similar battle against discrimination based upon race. "We believe that the segregation here involved is of the same cloth as the racism against which we fought in World War II, and that its continuance is detrimental to our national welfare, both at home and abroad"(Source 2, AVC). It seems quite stupid that our government would send us to aid in freedom fights in other countries, but would have no part in creating an equal society in the US Another organization which aided in the battle against racism was the American Federation of Teachers. Who, for the most part, were fighting for the same cause as the (AVC), saw another aspect of racism. There goal was to eliminate the segregation of schools and other educational facilities. They felt that segregation "is a denial of the highest ends of education, both dominant and minority groups. In an atmosphere of inequality, it is no more feasible to teach the principles of our American way to the white children than to the Negroes"(Source 2, American Federation of Teachers). The most influential voice against segregation in the South was the Attorney General of the United States. He too felt that segregation went against the Constitution. ". . . . The color of a man's skin-like his religious beliefs, or his political attachments, or the country from which he or his ancestors came to the United states-does not diminish or alter his legal stature or constitutional rights. . . ."(Source 2, Attorney General of the US). The Attorney General felt that a man should be judged by his character, not by petty differences one might have. All of these groups played a very influential role on influencing the Supreme Court decision to abolish the "Separate but Equal" law. The third compelling argument could be found in the pressures to remand "Separate but Equal" laws not only from various organizations previously mentioned, but from numerous court cases. The pressure to remand the "Separate but Equal" laws. Many cases, which dealt with segregation, impacted the outcome of the segregation laws greatly. In the Brown case of 1952, Mr. Carter argues that "no state has any authority under the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to use race as a factor in affording educational opportunities among its citizens. . . ."(Source 3, Brown 1952). When confronted with this powerful statement, Justice Minton replies by saying the "classification here was based solely on race and color"(Source 3, Brown, 1952)? From this, it is apparent that the side of Carter was taken by Justice Minton. This case provided a good basis for the cases to come. Another, larger case, was the Briggs v. Elliot case of 1952. In this similar case, the prosecution points out that not only are the blacks being denied equal facilities, they are also being denied equal protection of the laws. Mr. Marshall continues on to point out that "the Negro children have road blocks put up in their minds as a result of this segregation, so that the amount of education that they take in is much less than the other students take in". . . .(Source 3, Briggs v. Elliott, 1952). This case was what the segregation movement was in dire need of. It showed the effects segregation had on the school children, which was something that had never been done The fourth argument on "Separate but Equal" was probably the most dramatic occurrence in the abomination of this un-constitutional law. Chief Justice Warren somehow had to establish a base theory that could be used to weigh the complex issue of separate but equal in our public school system. Plessy vs Ferguson stated segregated schools were separate but equal, while all the cases noted by Justice Warren argued that segregated schools were not equal, could not be made equal and denied African Americans equal protection of the laws. His base theory for his ruling was, "We must consider public education in the light of its full development and its present place in American life throughout the Nation. Only this way can it be determined if segregation in public schools deprives these plaintiffs of the equal protection of the laws"... .(Source 4, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas). One dilemma he faced was applying middle twentieth century standards and societies values to those of nearly seventy-five years earlier. Using his base theory he examined what the full development of education was in 1896 versus what full development meant in the mid twentieth century. As a societies technology develops and automation increases the need for education grows. Consider the level of education and strength of studies of a typical high school student today versus one of fifty years ago. A fully developed education in 1896 would not compare or prepare a student for the rigors and complexities of a world seventy five years later. As Justice Warren eludes to in his remarks he talks about education being the cornerstone of local governments, developing good citizen ship, service in the armed forces, and "Is required in the performance of our most basic public responsibilities." Chief Justice reviewed the rulings of other courts and determined segregation bred inferiority and hindered development of African American children. He came to the conclusion that segregation in public schools does not mean equal education even if the tangible and other physical factors are equal. As a matter of law, "Where the state has undertaken to provide it, is a right which must be available to all on equal terms. His model of development led him to state, "Separate but Equal," has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." In conclusion, the black's fight for freedom took many different directions. But, after a long and grueling struggle, school's were finally desegregated. As an example the Supreme Court overturned the rulings in the case of Plessy v. Fergyson, arguing that full development of education could not be obtained, nor equal in a desegregated environment. After years and years of arguments, both for and against segregation, the courts finally stepped in and passed laws to force schools to desegregate. Finally by 1969, there was a court order for schools to desegregate "at once." The blacks finally attained their goal, it was a long and hard fight, but in the end it all paid off. Bibliography:

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