2. In what case previous to this was it ruled that it was OK for black and white students to be "separate but equal"? When was this case ruled?

Plessy v. Ferguson - basically Louisiana passed a law saying the black people need it separate car when traveling on train not on the same as a white person.

Plessy was 1/8 African descent (was born free and other 7/8 was of European descent) and under Louisiana rule he had to sit on a black car. eventually he sat on white only car and got into trouble, just like Rosa Parks. and he was eventually got arrested and tried.