Key Facts
- Year Decided
- 1954
- Vote
- 9-0
- Category
- Civil Rights
- Chief Justice
- Earl Warren
Background
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.
The Constitutional Question
Does racial segregation of children in public schools violate the Equal Protection Clause?
The Decision
The Court ruled unanimously that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal."
Impact & Legacy
Most important Supreme Court decision of the 20th century.
Catalyzed the Civil Rights Movement.
Key Quotes
“We conclude that, in the field of public education, the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”
Related Cases (Civil Rights)
Ruled that African Americans were not citizens and had no standing to sue.
Upheld racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.
Congress can use the Commerce Clause to prohibit racial discrimination in private businesses.
Race can be a factor in college admissions but racial quotas are unconstitutional.