Plessy v Ferguson

This week, we had a mock-trial of Plessy v Ferguson. Plessy was an African American male who had 1/8 African American blood. He brought a first class ticket knowing that he was violating a state statute. He was eventually arrested and sanctioned. The question is: Did it violate his 14th Amendment rights?

The first team fought on Plessy's behalf. From a religion standpoint, God created us all in his own image and He shows no favoritism. There were also arguments that explained the Equal Protection Clause and how segregation laws were unconstitutional. Another argument was that Plessy was only 1/8 African American and that he was predominantly white and did not classify as an African American.

The second team argued on behalf of Ferguson. One argument was based on an separate but equal standpoint. There are separate trains and that if you let one do it you then others will try. From a historically standpoint, the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments passed after slavery ended. African Americans were separated by law and it was a custom. There were also certain railroad regulations during that time. Louisiana required separate trains due to separate but equal laws.

In the end, the court ruled in favor of the state because there is nothing in the 14th Amendment that says something about integration.

Personally, I think that the team that fought on behalf of Ferguson had a better argument. Morally, I think Plessy should have won the case.