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"Separate but Equal"

Definition

The legal principle established by Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) that allowed for racially segregated facilities as long as they were deemed equal in quality. This doctrine enforced segregation for several decades until it was ultimately overturned by Brown v Board.

Analogy

Imagine going to an ice cream shop where there are two separate lines for different races. Even if both lines had similar flavors and toppings available, it would still feel unfair because everyone should have access to all flavors equally.

Related terms

Jim Crow Laws: State and local laws enacted after Reconstruction that enforced racial segregation and denied civil rights to African Americans until the mid-20th century.

Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial or ethnic groups, typically through laws or policies.

De jure segregation vs de facto segregation: De jure segregation refers to segregation by law, while de facto segregation occurs through social and economic factors without explicit legal enforcement.