Plessy Dissent Post

What does the name Justice Harlan mean to you? Well I can tell you, that after reading his famous dissent on the Landmark Supreme Court Case of Plessy V. Ferguson that I can say without a doubt that he is one of the most brutally honest men that have ever existed. Justice Harlan certainly did not need to write his opinion because he was clearly outmatched and it would have no effect. However, he still did, part of me wants to say because it was his obligation but part of me is convinced he wanted to have one of the greatest but most tragic I told you so moments in History. I mean how often does it happen that a man with such an incredible foresight comes along and tells you essentially word for word a prediction of what will happen in the future as a result of something. It is as if an adult is telling a child that if they put their hand on a stove top, their hand will get burned.

I completely agree with Justice Harlans opinion, of course I have the benefit of hindsight so I'm sure things would be different if I had been alive when it was written. For people in the time of 1896 I'm sure the pressure felt similar in a way to the pressure in 2016. Clearly racial tensions are high and there is almost an undercurrent of another civil war brewing. That is one reason why I hold Justice Harlan in such high regards, his resolve to stand by a decision he made is extremely note worthy.

With this case it was clear that it set progress back way farther than expected. In fact it sent progress so far back that only now are we back to the same point that we were at when the case of Plessy V. Ferguson happened. Hopefully this time we can make the right decision.