1896: Plessy v Ferguson In 1892 Homer Plessy, who was classified as an African American, was arrested, out on trial and found guilty of violating state law. Why? He refused to move from the 1st class carriage of a train (for which he had bought a ticket) to the ‘coloured’ carriage. Plessy appealed against the court’s decision. In 1896 the Supreme Court ruled that Blacks as and whites could receive separate services so long as they were equivalent. The Plessy v Ferguson ruling legally accepted the ‘separate but equal’ policy in American Life and allowed for segregation laws. Plessy was 1/8 black and 7/8 white. Under Louisiana state law he was classified as an African-American, and thus required to sit in the "colored" car.

‘Separate but Equal’? When built in 1927 at a cost of $1.5 million, Central High School Little Rock, was said to be the most expensive, most beautiful, and largest high school in the nation. Horace Mann High School, a segregated school for black students, opened in 1956. Superintendent Blossom called the school "the very best this community could offer.''

‘Separate but Equal’? Segregated drinking fountains in North Carolina, 1950 (From http://www.catherinecouturier.com/artists/elliott-erwitt/gallery/north-carolina,-1950-segregation-fountain/ Accessed 27 March 2014)

Brown v. Board of Education In the early 1950s the NAACP legal team attempted to challenge the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ through legal challenges to segregation in US public education. Argued that segregation violated the constitution Used the ‘dolls test’ to show that segregated education cause psychological damage. George E.C. Hayes, left, Thurgood Marshall, center, and James M. Nabrit, the lawyers who led the fight before the U.S. Supreme Court for abolition of segregation in public schools, descend the court steps in Washington, D.C., on May 17, 1954.

1954: The Supreme Court Ruling in Brown v. Board We come to the question presented: Does segregation of public schools solely on the basis of race, even though the physical facilities and other “tangible” factors may be equal, deprive the children of the minority group of equal educational opportunities? We believe that it does…. To separate them from others of similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone…. We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of “separate but equal” has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” -Earl Warren

A cartoon by Jon Kennedy, published in The Arkansas Democrat May 22, 1954. A visual comment on the Brown v Board ruling. Published in the Chicago Defender June 12, 1954.

How was the Supreme Court’s decision applied in Little Rock, Arkansas? 1957 Spring Nine students were finally accepted to attend Central High School 27 Aug A member of the Mother’s League of Central High is granted an injunction to temporarily stop the school integration. 30 Aug Federal District Judge Davies overturned the injunction and orders integration to proceed as planned. 2 Sept Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus sent the Arkansas National Guard to Central High School to ‘preserve the peace and avoid violence’ 3 Sept Judge Davies ordered desegregation to begin on 4 September. 4 Sept The nine black students attempted to enter Central High School but are turned away by the Arkansas National Guard. 10 Sept The US Dept of Justice (federal govt) filed an injunction against Gov. Faubus to force him to obey Judge Davies desegregation order. 14 Sept President Eisenhower met with Gov Faubus, to discuss the crisis around desegregation at Central High, Little Rock. 20 Sept Judge Davies ordered Faubus to remove the Arkansas National Guard. Faubus announced publically that he would obey the order, but asked black people to stay away from the high school to avoid confrontations. 23 Sept Mob gathered outside Central High School. When they learn that the nine black students have entered, a riot breaks out. The ‘Little Rock Nine’ were taken out of school through a side door for their safety. 24 Sept Little Rock Mayor, Woodrow Mann, asks Pres Eisenhower for help in maintaining order. The President announces that he is sending the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock and places the Arkansas National uard under federal control.   25 Sept Federal troops escorted the Little Rock nine to classes at Central High