Which case is often cited as overturning the 'separate but equal' doctrine established by Plessy?

Which case is often cited as overturning the 'separate but equal' doctrine established by Plessy?

• A. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
• B. Loving v. Virginia (1967)
• C. Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964)
• D. Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Answer: (D)

This question tests how the Court rejected the idea that racial segregation could be constitutional if facilities were “equal.” Brown v. Board of Education held that separating students by race in public schools inherently implies inequality, so it violates the Equal Protection Clause. In other words, separate educational facilities cannot be truly equal in practice, so the segregation itself is unconstitutional. This directly overturns the reasoning of Plessy v. Ferguson, which had allowed “separate but equal” facilities to stand as long as they were claimed to be equal. Brown focused on education and provided a turning point that paved the way for broader desegregation, while the other cases address different issues like interracial marriage or desegregation of public accommodations.

This question tests how the Court rejected the idea that racial segregation could be constitutional if facilities were “equal.” Brown v. Board of Education held that separating students by race in public schools inherently implies inequality, so it violates the Equal Protection Clause. In other words, separate educational facilities cannot be truly equal in practice, so the segregation itself is unconstitutional. This directly overturns the reasoning of Plessy v. Ferguson, which had allowed “separate but equal” facilities to stand as long as they were claimed to be equal. Brown focused on education and provided a turning point that paved the way for broader desegregation, while the other cases address different issues like interracial marriage or desegregation of public accommodations.