A) Regents of the University of California v. Bakke CORRECT This 1978 Supreme Court case directly challenged the constitutionality of affirmative action policies in higher education. The Court struck down the use of strict racial quotas, ruling that they violated the Equal Protection Clause, but allowed race to be considered as one factor in admissions. This decision established a legal framework for affirmative action, balancing diversity goals with individual rights. It remains a foundational case in civil rights law, illustrating the Court's role in interpreting the Fourteenth Amendment.
B) Brown v. Board of Education INCORRECT Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was a landmark decision that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, overturning the 'separate but equal' doctrine. While it was a major victory for civil rights, it did not address affirmative action policies. Instead, it focused on dismantling de jure segregation and ensuring equal educational opportunities for all races. The case is more closely associated with the desegregation movement rather than affirmative action.
C) Dred Scott v. Sandford INCORRECT Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) was a pre-Civil War case that ruled African Americans were not citizens and had no right to sue in federal court. It also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, inflaming tensions over slavery. This decision is a stark example of judicial failure to protect civil rights, but it has no connection to affirmative action, which emerged over a century later.
D) Plessy v. Ferguson INCORRECT Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine. This decision legitimized Jim Crow laws and institutionalized discrimination. It was later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education. While it is a critical case in civil rights history, it does not pertain to affirmative action, which seeks to address inequalities through proactive measures rather than segregation.
