Separate but Equal Movie Quiz

NAACP Involvement and Initial Case

• The NAACP got involved due to issues with buses, commonly referred to as the bus problem.
• Legal action originated in Clarendon County, South Carolina.

Key Individuals

• Harry Briggs Senior was the person who spearheaded the lawsuit against the district.
• The governor of South Carolina during the lawsuit was Burns.

Contextual Background

• The movie is set against the backdrop of the Korean War.
• A petition required 20 signatures for the NAACP to consider the case, but 66 individuals ultimately signed.

Pressures and Disparities

• White officials attempted to coerce African Americans into dropping the suit by offering raises and threatening job dismissals.
• There was a significant financial disparity in educational funding, with $179 spent per white student compared to $43 per black student.

Legal Representation

• The defense was represented by lawyer John W. Davis, while the plaintiffs were represented by Marshall.
• Two essential questions for the NAACP were whether to enforce "separate but equal" or to challenge its constitutionality.

Constitutional Context

• The 14th Amendment was pivotal in the plaintiffs' arguments.
• The Plessy vs. Ferguson decision had been upheld by the Supreme Court seven times prior to this case.

Key Testimonies and Broader Impact

• Kenneth Clark, a psychologist, assessed the negative impact of segregation on children.
• Four other states were involved in lawsuits regarding segregation, including Virginia, Delaware, and Kansas.

Judicial Changes

• President Eisenhower's administration allowed for the appointment of a new Chief Justice to the Supreme Court.
• The new Chief Justice, Earl Warren, had a significant influence on the case and the justices' perspectives.

Arguments and Judicial Concerns

• The court needed to establish if the framers of the 14th Amendment intended to allow segregation.
• Chief Justice Warren emerged as the leading force advocating for the change in judicial stance towards desegregation.

Key Personal and Historical Insights

• Marshall's personal struggles included his wife's battle with stomach cancer.
• The NAACP's main office was located in New York, highlighting its role as a national organization.

Miscellaneous Facts

• Chief Justice Vinson died of a heart attack, leading to the appointment of Warren.
• Warren had previously served as the Governor of California before becoming Chief Justice.

Additional Notes

• The Supreme Court feared overstepping congressional authority and becoming too involved in state matters, likening themselves to a "nine-judge school board."
• The cornerstone of the 14th Amendment relates to the Civil Rights Act of 1866.
• "Krytocracy" refers to a government run by judges, a term relevant to discussions on judicial power.
• Children had to walk 5 miles to school, emphasizing the struggles faced by those affected by segregation.
• Marshall's passion for trains reflects a personal aspect of his character, found in contrast to his serious legal work.
• His daughter Julia expressed fears about the trial affecting how others perceived their family, showcasing personal conflicts amidst the legal battle.
• Thurgood Marshall became a Justice in 1967, marking a significant milestone in American history.