“we conclude that, in the field of public education, the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place. separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. therefore, we hold that the plaintiffs and others similarly situated for whom the actions have been brought are, by reason of the segregation complained of, deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the fourteenth amendment. this disposition makes unnecessary any discussion whether such segregation also violates the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment.” —supreme court justice earl warren in brown v. board of education opinion, 1954 how was supreme court decision in plessy v. ferguson (1896) different from the decision in brown v. board of education (1954)