John Marshall Harlan, how you disappoint me
Tonight ends my months-long nerdy history crush on Justice John Marshall Harlan. John Marshall Harlan was the lone dissenter in Plessy v. Fergusen. He seemed so reasonable, so prescient, so fair. How could I help myself? I mean, listen to this:
"But in view of the constitution, in the eye of the law, there is in this country no superior, dominant, ruling class of citizens. There is no caste here. Our constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In respect of civil rights, all citizens are equal before the law. The humblest is the peer of the most powerful. The law regards man as man, and takes no account of his surroundings or of his color when his civil rights as guaranteed by the supreme law of the land are involved."
I mean, wow. But, as it turns out, he then goes on to make an exception...for Chinese people. I know he's a product of his times, but God. I feel so betrayed. Sorry, JMH. This is a deal breaker.
Still on the nerdy crush list: John Stuart Mill, John Peter Altgeld, Henry David Thoreau.