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Plessy v. Ferguson
The Plessy v. Ferguson case involved Homer Plessy, who was arrested for sitting in a "whites-only" railroad car in Louisiana. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-1 that segregation was legal under the "separate but equal" doctrine. This decision legalized racial segregation, leading to widespread inequality, especially in education and public services, until Brown v. Board of Education overturned it. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The Brown v. Board of Education case challenged the "separate but equal" doctrine, arguing that segregation in public schools created inequality. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal," leading to the desegregation of schools. While this was a key step in dismantling institutional racism in education, full desegregation was slow and faced significant resistance. -
Title IX of the Education Amendments
Title IX is a federal law that bans sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities. It ensures equal access to education for both men and women, including in sports and academics. Title IX greatly expanded opportunities for women and girls, particularly in athletics, where women’s sports had been historically underfunded and neglected. -
Plyler v. Doe
The case examined whether states could deny public education to undocumented immigrant children. The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states could not deny these children access to education under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The decision guaranteed the right to education for all children, regardless of immigration status.