Plessy v. Ferguson- What is Black?

Team Reagan explained how on June 7th 1892, Plessy bought a first class ticket, and he was able to buy this ticket and they set him up for this crime. Plessy did not sneak onto the train, the people who sold him this ticket knew that he was African-American. If the law was being applied to this man, then he shouldn't have had the ticket. Plessy is only 1/8th black and was arrested for sitting in the white section.


5 member Interstate Commerce Condition State Law null and void in light of commerce clause in Constitution that was passed in 1887.The law they passed has no constitutional power, because it is permanently and institution of commerce.

The trains were not equal of railcars, there was less seats, less comfortable and if everything is "Separate but Equal" then the railcars should look the same have the same commodities and same everything.

Plessy was also the only one arrested on train.

On the "Red, White and Better than You" team they said, Louisiana had  about 14% blacks, so under the 15th Amendment should have had a voice to vote. There was a "Separate Car Act" vote in 1890, so their voice could have been heard. The trains would be more dangerous if there were mixed races on the train because it could lead to violence. In 1890, there were over 150 people lynched in Louisiana.

Plessy knowingly defied the law, just as Rosa Parks did. This was a setup by many people because the ticket officer would not know the difference because his complexion was lighter.

A private rail company, under the Equal Protection Law and State Action Doctrine, has no reason to be involved in Federal Law.

The 14th Amendment doesn't extend to social matters, and not about fairness.


After hearing both sides of the argument, Team RWABTY had a better legal argument, BUT due to the setup of knowing that this man would get arrested and that is discrimination and he should not be penalized for it. Under the laws, YES Plessy was breaking them, but due to the situation and photos about the "Separate but Equal" and how it is a lie. If i was in court I would have to side with Ferguson because of the laws; but morally that is so wrong.

Then the question becomes, what is the black meaning under the law?