Norwood v. Harrison
Encyclopedia
Norwood v. Harrison, 413 U.S. 455
(1973), is a United States Supreme Court
decision in the area of constitutional law
which the court held that a state cannot provide aid to a private school which discriminates on the basis of race. In the case, textbooks were being purchased by the state of Mississippi
and given to students for free in both public and private schools pursuant a statute passed in 1940. The District Court decided in favor of the state and the Supreme Court heard oral arguments February 20 and 21, 1973.
The Supreme Court ruled that a state may not constitutionally give or lend textbooks to students who attend a school that discriminates on the basis of race, otherwise the discriminatory conduct of the private school could be considered state action and would thus be in violation of the Constitution.
The unanimous ruling was authored by Chief Justice Burger
and was joined by Stewart
, White
, Marshall
, Blackmun
, Powell, and Rehnquist
. Justices Douglas
and Brennan
wrote concurring opinions.
The Court held that Mississippi was not obligated under the Equal Protection Clause
to provide equal assistance to private schools and public schools, ruling that the state does have a constitutional obligation to avoid providing financial assistance to schools that practice racist or other invidious discrimination.
Case citation
Case citation is the system used in many countries to identify the decisions in past court cases, either in special series of books called reporters or law reports, or in a 'neutral' form which will identify a decision wherever it was reported...
(1973), is a United States Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
decision in the area of constitutional law
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
which the court held that a state cannot provide aid to a private school which discriminates on the basis of race. In the case, textbooks were being purchased by the state of Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
and given to students for free in both public and private schools pursuant a statute passed in 1940. The District Court decided in favor of the state and the Supreme Court heard oral arguments February 20 and 21, 1973.
The Supreme Court ruled that a state may not constitutionally give or lend textbooks to students who attend a school that discriminates on the basis of race, otherwise the discriminatory conduct of the private school could be considered state action and would thus be in violation of the Constitution.
The unanimous ruling was authored by Chief Justice Burger
Warren E. Burger
Warren Earl Burger was the 15th Chief Justice of the United States from 1969 to 1986. Although Burger had conservative leanings, the U.S...
and was joined by Stewart
Potter Stewart
Potter Stewart was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. During his tenure, he made, among other areas, major contributions to criminal justice reform, civil rights, access to the courts, and Fourth Amendment jurisprudence.-Education:Stewart was born in Jackson, Michigan,...
, White
Byron White
Byron Raymond "Whizzer" White won fame both as a football halfback and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed to the court by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, he served until his retirement in 1993...
, Marshall
Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from October 1967 until October 1991...
, Blackmun
Harry Blackmun
Harold Andrew Blackmun was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1970 until 1994. He is best known as the author of Roe v. Wade.- Early years and professional career :...
, Powell, and Rehnquist
William Rehnquist
William Hubbs Rehnquist was an American lawyer, jurist, and political figure who served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States and later as the 16th Chief Justice of the United States...
. Justices Douglas
William O. Douglas
William Orville Douglas was an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. With a term lasting 36 years and 209 days, he is the longest-serving justice in the history of the Supreme Court...
and Brennan
William J. Brennan, Jr.
William Joseph Brennan, Jr. was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1956 to 1990...
wrote concurring opinions.
The Court held that Mississippi was not obligated under the Equal Protection Clause
Equal Protection Clause
The Equal Protection Clause, part of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, provides that "no state shall ... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws"...
to provide equal assistance to private schools and public schools, ruling that the state does have a constitutional obligation to avoid providing financial assistance to schools that practice racist or other invidious discrimination.