Supreme Court of the United States · Constitutional Law
Constitutional LawDue ProcessRacial SegregationPublic EducationFifth AmendmentFifth AmendmentDue Process ClauseDistrict of Columbia
Facts
The case challenged racial segregation in the public schools of the District of Columbia. The petitioners were minors of the Negro race who were refused admission to a public school attended by white children solely because of their race. They alleged that this segregation deprived them of due process of law under the Fifth Amendment. They sought relief in federal district court, which dismissed their complaint.
Issue
Does racial segregation in the public schools of the District of Columbia, where the Fifth Amendment applies and no Equal Protection Clause is present, deny due process of law? More specifically, can race-based segregation by the federal government be so unjustifiable as to violate the Fifth Amendment Due Process Clause?
Rule
Under the Fifth Amendment, discrimination may be so unjustifiable as to violate due process. Classifications based solely on race must be scrutinized with particular care, and when segregation in public education is not reasonably related to any proper governmental objective, it constitutes an arbitrary deprivation of liberty in violation of the Due Process Clause.
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One of 10 multiple-choice questions for this case. Pick an answer to see why.
The governing board for public schools in Washington, D.C., adopts a rule assigning children to separate elementary schools depending solely on whether they are classified as Black or white. Maya Ellison, a Black student, is denied admission to the nearer school she seeks for that reason alone.
If Maya challenges the rule under the Fifth Amendment, which is the strongest answer?
Explanation. The majority held that, although the Fifth Amendment lacks an Equal Protection Clause, discrimination may be so unjustifiable as to violate due process. Classifications based solely on race must be scrutinized with particular care, and segregation in public education is not reasonably related to any proper governmental objective. Such segregation therefore imposes an arbitrary deprivation of liberty in violation of the Fifth Amendment.