Plessey V. Ferguson (1896) Landmark Supreme Court Case

Describe the Plessey v. Ferguson (1896) landmark Supreme Court case.

According to PBS’s record of landmark court cases, Plessey v. Ferguson was a case about a man who was one-eighth African American that purchased a first class ticket and sat in a white-only section. He was arrested and imprisoned. The case cited the Equal Right Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment that "any person within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws," The court ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment was referring to protecting civil and political rights such as serving on juries and voting, but not “social rights” such as sitting on a specific car on a train. Justice John Marshall was the only judge to dissent he said “"in view of the Constitution, in the eye of the law, there is

in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizen” The aftermath of the Plessey v. Ferguson decision was it allowed public segregation. It wasn’t till 1954 that “separate, but equal” was overturned.
McBride, Alex. "Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)." PBS. PBS, Dec. 2006. Web. 04 Nov. 2015.
What is Affirmative Action?

According to Merriam Webster Afirmative Action is “an active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women”

"Affirmative Action." Def. 1. Merriam Webster. Merriam Webster, n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2015.

Why did the House and the Senate create legislation for Affirmative Action?

According to the history channel legislation for affirmative action was created to make acts of discrimination illegal. The legislation in the 1964 Civil Rights act prohibited discrimination in employment to help create equal opportunities for members of minority groups. Racial groups were not they only groups protected as the legislation forbid discrimination for age, pregnancy, and disability as well.

"Civil Rights Act." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.

What year was Affirmative Action developed and by whom?

Acording to Borgna Brunner and Beth Rowen, affirmative action was introduced as a term by President John F Kennedy. Due to Kennedy’s untimely death, Affirmative action was not implemented until the Johnson Administration.

Brunner, Borgna, and Beth Rowen. "Affirmative Action History."Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web.

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Nov. 2015.
Describe the state of race relations during the 1940’s-1960’s time period?
The history channel website records that race relations in the 1940’s-1960 were bad. Tension was high as violent white supremacy groups such as the Ku Klux Klan spread fear. Jim Crow laws increased segregation and discrimination. Jim Crow laws were used in an attempt to limit African American’s rights by enacting laws such as a poll tax and literacy tests.
"Civil Rights Act." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.
Who benefits from Affirmative Action?
According to the North Carolina State University handbook on Affirmative Action, everyone benefits from Affirmative Action. Affirmative Action gives everyone the opportunity for promotions and equal access to jobs. “Affirmative action expands the talent pool for jobs and creates a more diverse work environment.”
"Who Benefits from Affirmative Action Policies?" NC State University Affirmative Action in Employment Training. NC State, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.
Who is Alan Bakke (1978) and why is he significant to Affirmative Action?
Acording to Cornell University’s law database Alan Blakke was a student that wished to attend The University of California, Davis. He was rejected despite having superior test score than some of the students that were accepted. Blakke argued it violated title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The court ruled in a 5-4 decision that Blakke be admitted to the University and the school’s quota system violated the Fourteenth Amendment. However, Blakke is significant to Affirmative Action because the court said race can be a contributing factor in admissions it just can’t be the only factor.
"Regents of the Uni v. of Cal. v. Bakke." LII / Legal Information Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.
What is the difference between Affirmative action and quotas?
According to the University of California Berkley the difference between Affirmative Action and a quota is that Affirmative Action is a goal target to strive for in recruiting employees while a quota is inflexible.
"What's the Difference between an Affirmative Action Goal and a Quota? Does the University of
California Have a Quota System?" What's the Difference between an Affirmative Action Goal and a Quota? Does the University of California Have a Quota System? N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.
Describe the state of race relations today (2015 and beyond) and your predictions for the future of race relations in the United States.
Race relations in the United States is not yet where it should be. There still are discrimination and a lot of stereotypes that people still believe to be true. Neighborhoods are still divided by race through de facto segregation. I do think the United States will eventually become more of a melting pot where everyone lives together and less of a salad bowl.
What is the current status of Affirmative Action in Michigan; will ending Affirmative Action eliminate racism, discrimination, and prejudice in the workplace, educational area or in our personal lives? Explain your answer.
According to CNN’s report, the Supreme Court has decided that a Michigan law banning Affirmative Action was constitutional. The law doesn’t just effect school admissions, but also hiring in the workplace. “The Michigan ban also prohibits the state from considering race and gender in public hiring and public contracting decisions.”
Mears, Bill. "Michigan's Ban on Affirmative Action Upheld by Supreme Court - CNN.com." CNN. Cable
News Network, 23 Apr. 2014. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.
What is your stand on Affirmative Action?
My stand on Affirmative Action is that it is overall a good thing. I think it is important that laws are in place to insure there is a level playing field. Affirmative Action protects all groups from discrimination. I also think it is important in colleges to have Affirmative Action in place because diversity in schools is important. It’s common in colleges to accept students whose parents also attended the university. That sort of legacy can never begin in the first place if their parents had been rejected to the school from discrimination.