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Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.
In Topeka, Kansas, Linda Brown had to walk over a mile to her segregated school.
The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, led by Thurgood Marshall, argued that segregation was inherently unequal.
Does racial segregation of children in public schools violate the Equal Protection Clause?
The Court ruled unanimously that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal."
Most important Supreme Court decision of the 20th century.
Catalyzed the Civil Rights Movement.
“We conclude that, in the field of public education, the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”
Race can be a factor in college admissions but racial quotas are unconstitutional.