Plessy v. Furguson

In 1890, Louisiana law required the railroads to "provide equal but separate accommodations for the white and colored races". The case of Plessy v. Furguson was centralized around this issue: Plessy, who was one eighth black, refused to move from the white section of the train, forcing law enforcement to arrest him. After losing his state court case, it was appealed to the United States Supreme. Plessy claimed his case was a violation of the thirteenth and fourteenth amendments. The courts ruled 7-1, with one member absent, that Plessy was guilty. I believe this was a result of the struggle between races during that time period. Many people in the south still had an influence from slavery that clouded their judgement. I think it was very courageous of the one judge, Justice John Harlan to stand up for what he believed in, and not support racism. 

Read more about the case: click here