During the 1950s, the United States was on the brink of explosion. Not literally, of course, but in a way, yes. Although about a century had passed since the abolition of slavery, African Americans in the United States were still treated as second-class citizens. Separate but equal, as outlined in the landmark 1896 case Plessy v. Ferguson, became a standard doctrine in United States law. This was a defeat for many blacks because not only were the facilities clearly unequal, but it restored white supremacy to the South. It would be years before a sense of hope would come from another major victory in a landmark case. In Plessy v. Ferguson, members of the Supreme Court held that this decision for “separate but equal” facilities did not violate any law. For example, Justice B. Brown, known for writing the majority opinion in the case, writes the ruling “neither abridges the privileges or immunities of the colored man, nor deprives him of his property without due process of law, nor does it deny him equal protection." of the laws, pursuant to the Fourteenth Amendment." He goes on to write that separation does not stamp “a badge of inferiority upon the colored race.” Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas was perhaps the most famous case of its time. The thirteen plaintiffs on behalf of their children filed a class action lawsuit against the district to reverse its policy of racial segregation. One named plaintiff, Oliver L. Brown, an admired African American member of his community, complained that his young daughter had to walk six blocks to the bus stop to attend her all-black school, while the white school was closer. After the victory, The Board of Edu...... middle of paper...... reversed. The document states: “The original Constitution does not mention education. Not the 14th Amendment or any other amendment. The debates that preceded the presentation of the 14th Amendment clearly show that there was no intention that it should affect the education system maintained by the States." This is a bizarre argument because when the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified, education was not popular. In fact, it would be many years after 1868 when schooling became compulsory. Therefore, the Fourteenth Amendment did not include schools as part of the equal protection clause. African Americans in the United States were hurt. After decades of mistreatment, it was time to fight back. The Brown v. Board of Education ruling marked the birth of the Civil Rights Movement. It would be years before any progress occurred.