Plessy's Dissenting Opinion

The Plessy vs. Ferguson Case created the separate but equal doctrine because of the supreme courts decision. However there was a disagreement with the majority opinion, or a dissenting opinion. Judge Harlan had been the only one for oppose the idea of separate but equal, but knowing he was outnumbered he continued to state his reasoning for his opinion.

It took some guts to stand up for what he believed was right, knowing not many were in favor for integration. I think that he did it to stand up for his beliefs, there was no need to make a statement about his decision because it was unpopular but its possible that he wanted to influence others, making them realize that the country needed change. He also gave hope to those who wanted that change to see that there are people like them on the Supreme Court that will stand up for their rights.

I think he made a great argument saying "If a white man and a black man choose to occupy the same public conveyance on a public highway, it is their right to do so, and no government, proceeding alone on grounds of race, can prevent it without infringing the personal liberty of each." He had strong points that could have persuaded many people in that era but most people from 1896 would not respect Harlan for his opinion. In today's time, I believe that the majority of people, I would hope, agree with his statement. There should be no segregation or discrimination in a free country.