Three Reactions to the Plessy v. Ferguson case, 1896.
             The Plessy v. Ferguson case, of 1896, was a major step in the racial equality struggle of the United States of America. With what looked like it could be a step in the right direction to take this case to the Supreme Court, the decision was a unanimous 7-1 vote. The only brilliant man against the 'separate but equal' vote was John Marshall Harland. He stated, "The constitution is colorblind." In this case, it wasn't.
             The U.S. Supreme Court decided that enforcing 'separate but equal' accommodations for blacks and whites, was constitutional. The South contended that this practice was necessary to maintain order in society, but in reality, everything was 'separate and UNEQUAL.' The enactment of Jim Crow laws throughout the South eliminated most of the advances made for Blacks during Reconstruction. However, There are three very important reactions, from three very distinguished men, to the Plessy v. Ferguson case of 1896; Them being, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B.DuBois, and lastly, Marcus Garvey.
             One year prior to the decision to the Plessy v. Ferguson case, Booker T. Washington gave his famous speech at the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta. Washington was one who insisted that Blacks could (and should) live segregated from Whites-a reaction supporting the Plessy case. To sum up his speech, he encouraged Blacks to learn trades instead of going to college. He also encouraged Whites to lend a helping hand to the black community.
             After his speech, millions of dollars came flooding into the South to help Blacks build trade and other schools. Southern state legislatures even started to give money to help build segregated schools.
             Booker T. Washington, and ex-slave and self-taught, made a lasting impression on whites, becoming the most influential and respected black leader, in the white community.
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