Short Answer 
Brown v. Board of Education addressed racial segregation in public schools and determined it violated the principle of equal protection under the law, establishing a precedent for educational equity. The ruling emphasized that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal, contributing significantly to the civil rights movement by invalidating the “separate-but-equal” doctrine.
Step 1: Understanding the Case
The case of Brown v. Board of Education addresses the issue of whether public school systems that are separated by race violate the principle of equal protection under the law. It raises questions about the rights of individuals in relation to education and civil liberties. The landmark decision was made by the U.S. Supreme Court and set a precedent that impacts all educational systems in the country.
Step 2: Constitutional Basis
The excerpt emphasizes the clause that states, ‚ÄöAunor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.‚ÄöAu This is a crucial element in the argument, suggesting that racial segregation in education deprives students of their rights. The ruling argued that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal, contradicting the very essence of the Equal Protection Clause.
Step 3: Significance of the Ruling
Brown v. Board of Education is a foundational case in advancing civil rights, as it proclaimed that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, regardless of the perceived equality in quality. This ruling effectively dismantled the ‚ÄöAuseparate-but-equal‚ÄöAu doctrine and became a driving force for the civil rights movement in the United States, promoting the idea that education must be inclusive and accessible to all.