Plessy v. Ferguson

Homer Plessy, a man who is ⅛ black refused to sit in the black designated train. He claims that his 14th amendment rights were violated. This was basically just an argument over the “separate but equal” laws. Plessy has previously been able to reside in the designated white areas, but for some reason he got in trouble for it this time. 

Right when this case was happening, a law in 1890 in Louisiana “providing for separate railway carriages for the white and colored races.” This means that blacks and whites would ride separate, but both of the trains would be the exact same in quality. Separate but equal doctrine refers to a now-defunct principle that allowed African-Americans to be segregated if they were provided with equal opportunities and facilities in education, public transportation, and jobs. This is the law and it would be unconstitutional to go against it. The law clearly states that separate but equal facilities are perfectly legal, therefore, if one were to say that it is wrong for a black man to be asked to sit in the black section, it would be against the constitution and against the law. Separate but equal doctrine refers to a now unused principle that allowed black people to be segregated if they were provided with equal opportunities and facilities in education, public transportation, and jobs. 

You have to keep in mind that in 1896, views of other races and people are different from how they are today, so when judging history, you have to step into the shoes as if you were actually from that time. All of society believed that whites are superior to blacks and that they can do whatever they want without consequence.