"Supreme Court's Infamous Eugenics Ruling: A Dark Chapter in American History. On May 2, 1927, the US Supreme Court delivered a landmark, if deeply troubling, decision in Buck v. Bell. In a case that would become synonymous with the dark side of American progressivism, the court ruled that states have the constitutional authority to forcibly sterilize individuals deemed 'unfit' or 'undesirable.' The plaintiff, Carrie Buck, a young woman from Virginia, had been deemed mentally unfit due to her alleged promiscuity and was subsequently sterilized under the state's eugenics laws. The decision, which has been widely criticized for its racist and ableist underpinnings, paved the way for the forced sterilization of thousands of Americans, including those with disabilities, minorities, and the poor. As the nation grapples with issues of reproductive rights and social justice, the Buck v. Bell decision serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked government power and the importance of protecting individual rights."
5/2/1927: Buck v. Bell decided. The post Today in Supreme Court History: May 2, 1927 appeared first on Reason.com.
