Key Facts
- Year Decided
- 1978
- Vote
- 5-4
- Category
- Civil Rights
Summary
Race can be a factor in college admissions but racial quotas are unconstitutional.
First major affirmative action case.
Related Cases (Civil Rights)
Dred Scott v. Sandford
1857Vote: 7-2
Ruled that African Americans were not citizens and had no standing to sue.
Plessy v. Ferguson
1896Vote: 7-1
Upheld racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.
Brown v. Board of Education
1954Vote: 9-0
Declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning Plessy v. Ferguson.
Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States
1964Vote: 9-0
Congress can use the Commerce Clause to prohibit racial discrimination in private businesses.