Scholars Lecture: Separate with Steve Luxenberg

Steve Luxenberg, Separate: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson, and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation

Separate traces the careful building in 1896 of a test case to establish freedom from race-based segregation in public accommodations. The strategy backfired badly in Plessy v. Ferguson, when the Supreme Court ruled that “separate but equal” did not violate the Constitution. Justice John Marshall Harlan was the sole dissenter, declaring that “the Constitution is color-blind” and it would take 60 years to reverse the precedent, in Brown v. Board of Education. Luxenberg is an associate editor at The Washington Post, and oversaw reporting that won two Pulitzers.

All lectures take place in the Iselin Wing at John Jay Homestead. Check in and refreshments begin at 6:30 pm. Lectures begin at 7:00 pm.

Member Ticket: $20

Non-Member Ticket: $25

Student Ticket: Free (must register)

*Online ticket sales have ended but tickets will be available at the door.