How was plessy v Ferguson a turning point in history?

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) was a landmark Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. This ruling legitimized Jim Crow laws across the South, entrenching systemic racism and discrimination for decades. It set a precedent that would hinder civil rights efforts until it was ultimately overturned by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, marking a significant turning point in the fight for racial equality in the United States. The case highlighted the deep divisions in American society regarding race and justice, influencing civil rights movements for generations.