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The pervasive inequality and racism that sparked protests and riots in Ferguson, Missouri, have resonated with modern-day civil rights activists. However, the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case offers an early precedent for Jim Crow laws, effectively codifying racial segregation for nearly six decades in the US. As such, it is now a crucial part of ongoing discussions on racial equality.

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The Racial Reform Debate: A Closer Look at Ferguson vs Plessy

  • To understand the Plessy case, consider a hypothetical situation: a Black person attend a white's-only train car without knowingly challenging segregation laws, spawning enforcement actions.