Do the long acceptance of separate but equal promoted the development of a class system in this country?

Yes, the long acceptance of the "separate but equal" doctrine, established by Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896, reinforced systemic racial segregation and inequality in the United States. This legal framework institutionalized disparities in education, housing, and employment opportunities, effectively creating a class system based on race. As a result, marginalized communities faced significant barriers to social and economic mobility, perpetuating cycles of poverty and discrimination that have lasting effects today.