Why do some people call the Plessy v. Ferguson decision one of the worst ever made the U.S supreme court?

The Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 is often criticized as one of the worst Supreme Court rulings because it upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine. This ruling legitimized discriminatory laws and practices that enforced racial inequality, leading to widespread oppression of African Americans for decades. It effectively sanctioned systemic racism and denied equal protection under the law, contributing to the deep social and economic disparities that persisted long after the decision. The ruling was not overturned until Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which marked a significant shift toward civil rights and equality.