Equal Protection Clause Violation:
Marshall contended that racial segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. He argued that the 'separate but equal' doctrine established in the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case failed to guarantee equal protection under the law.
Damaging Psychological Impact:
Marshall presented expert testimony and psychological studies highlighting the harmful effects of segregation on African American children's self-esteem and educational opportunities. He argued that forced separation based on race led to feelings of inferiority and psychological harm, hindering their development and educational achievements.
Lack of Educational Equality:
Marshall demonstrated that segregated schools in Topeka, Kansas, and beyond, were grossly unequal to white schools in terms of funding, resources, educational facilities, and qualified teachers. This, he emphasized, denied African American children equal educational opportunities, contributing to the continued cycle of discrimination and deprivation.
Stigmatizing Effect:
Marshall stressed that the very act of segregation carries a pervasive stigma and implies inherent inferiority of African Americans. He argued that separating children solely based on race reinforces the idea that these children and their education are less important and valuable than those of white children.
These arguments and evidence presented by Thurgood Marshall and his legal team played a key role in the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in favor of desegregation in public schools in the United States.