Document: 346 U.S. 249 73 S.Ct. 1031 97 L.Ed. 1586 BARROWS et al.v.JACKSON. No. 517. Argued April 28, 29, 1953. Decided June 15, [Syllabus from pages 249-251 intentionally omitted] Mr. J. Wallace McKnight, Los Angeles, Cal., for petitioners. Loren Miller, respondent. Justice MINTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This Court held in Shelley v. Kraemer, 334 1, 68 836, 92 1161, that racial restrictive covenants could not be enforced equity against Negro purchasers because such enforcement would constitute state action denying equal protection laws to Negroes, violation Fourteenth Amendment Federal Constitution. The question we now have is: Can a covenant at law by suit damages co-covenantor who allegedly broke covenant? 2 Petitioners1 sued respondent breach parties entered into as owners residential real estate same neighborhood California. petitioners' complaint alleged part: 3 'That terms said Agreement each signers promised and agreed writing bound himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors, assigns, continuing no part property, described therein, should ever any time used or occupied person persons wholly white Caucasian race, also this restriction incorporated all papers transfers lots parcels land hereinabove referred to; provided, however, restrictions prevent employment tenants property domestic servants other employees are race; further, shall permitted occupy only when actively engaged employment. That was running with land. provision benefit therein described.' 4 further two respects: (1) conveying her without incorporating deed contained covenant; (2) permitting non-Caucasians move premises. trial court sustained demurrer complaint, District Appeals Second Appellate affirmed, 112 Cal.App.2d 534, 247 P.2d 99, Supreme California denied hearing. We granted certiorari, 345 902, 644, importance constitutional involved consider conflict which has arisen decisions courts since our ruling case, supra. Like instant Michigan dismissal claim covenant, Phillips Naff, 332 Mich. 389, 52 N.W.2d 158. See Roberts Curtis, D.C., 93 F.Supp. 604. Missouri reached contrary result, Weiss Leaon, 359 Mo. 1054, 225 S.W.2d 127, while Oklahoma may maintained seller, an intermediate straw man, non-Caucasian purchaser conspiracy violate Correll Earley, 205 Okl. 366, 237 1017. 5 case here party restricting use occupancy2 Caucasians maintain Shelley, In lower granting equitable relief constituted whom sought enforced, Amendment. said: 6 'We conclude, therefore, agreements standing alone cannot regarded rights guaranteed petitioners So long purposes those effectuated voluntary adherence their terms, it appear clear there been State provisions violated. * *' 13, 842, 1161. 7 is say, applicable did make itself invalid, one punished making it, one's were violated covenantor's thereto. Such individual only. When, cease rely upon carry out asked step give its sanction first arises whether court's awarding constitutes under To compel respond punish failure perform continue discriminate property. result encourage covenants. extent, act put behind If thus she coerced discriminatory manner, essence purpose covenant. Thus, becomes respondent's choice but State's observe suffer damages. validity surely enforce equity, 8 next emerge allowing deprives anyone protected awards prospective seller restricted will either refuse sell else require pay higher price meet incur. Solely unable purchase, own, enjoy on Caucasians. Denial right non-Caucasians, unidentified identifiable, 9 But unlike supra, before claiming rights. May respondent, seek coerce honor invasion others defense action? 10 Ordinarily, vindicate some third party. Reference rule made varied situations. Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Comm. McGrath, 341 123, 149—154, 71 624, 636 639, 95 817 (concurring opinion). requirement often describe limitation jurisdiction 'cases' 'controversies.' Coleman 307 433, 464, 59 972, 986, 83 1385 Apart jurisdictional requirement, developed complementary self-restraint own governance (not always clearly distinguished limitation) ordinarily precludes challenging constitutionality invoking others. Ashwander Tennessee Valley Authority, 297 288, 346—348, 56 466, 482—483, 80 688 common thread underlying both requirements challenge statute unless he shows himself injured operation.3 principle application totaling $11,600, judgment direct, pocketbook injury her. 11 There still cases even though direct substantial statute, can show within class whose infringed. Bode Barrett, 344 583, 585, 468, 470; Jeffrey Mfg. Co. Blagg, 235 571, 576, 35 167, 169, 364; People New York ex rel. Hatch Reardon, 204 152, 160 161, 27 188, 190, 51 415; see Elec. Power 306 118, 144, 372, 543.4 One reason court, actually faced question, might narrowly construe obliterate objectionable feature, declare unconstitutional separable. 160—161, 190—191, Wuchter Pizzutti, 276 26—28, 48 259, 263—264, 72 446 (dissenting It indeed undesirable every conceivable situation possibly arise complex comprehensive legislation. Nor so ready frustrate expressed Congress legislatures. Cf. Southern Pacific Gallagher, 172, 391, 586. 12 salutary rule, reaffirm. unique denial difficult if impossible asserted present grievance court. Under peculiar circumstances believe reasons underlie raise another's rights, practice, outweighed need protect fundamental maintained. Quong Ham Wah Industrial Acc. Comm., 184 Cal. 26, 192 P. 1021, A.L.R. 1190. 13 situations past, broad policy led proceed regard usual rule. Pierce Society Sisters, 268 510, 45 69 1070, required parents (with certain immaterial exceptions) send children public schools. A private parochial school brought enjoin ground guardians. No parent guardian applied 'unreasonably interferes liberty guardians upbringing education control.' 534—535, page 573. short schools assert 141, 153—154, 632, 638, 817; Columbia Broadcasting System United States, 316 407, 422 423, 62 1194, 1202, 1203, 86 1563; Helvering Gerhardt, 304 405, 58 969, 82 1427; Truax Raich, 239 33, 36 7, 60 131; States Railroad Co., 17 Wall. 322, 21 597; supra; cf. Jeffers, 342 48, 52, 93, 95, 96 59; Communications Sanders Brothers Radio Station, 309 470, 642, 693, 84 869, 1037; 14 close relationship between going forward itself, relaxation called here. sufficiently appears mulcting solely giving vitality permit deny incorporate Buchanan Warley, 245 60, 38 16, 149; federal policy: 15 'It consistent Nation's capital exercise general powers where violative guaranty laws. presume manifests lesser concern basic than taken States.' Hurd Hodge, 24, 35—36, 847, 853, 1187. 16 Consistency rules practice does us set equivocal position simply directed speak himself. resist effort widely condemned courts, charge keeping reposes power discontinue use. relation coercion exerted possible pecuniary loss thereby discriminated against, effective adversary unworthy last stand. She herself and, doing, gap universally courts. Petitioners argue 'personal' right, rather groups classes. For instance, sleeping dining-car facilities justified little demand Negroes group. McCabe Atchison, T. & S.F.R. 151, 161—162, 69, 71, 169. Sweatt Painter, 339 629, 635, 70 848, 850, 94 1114. description 'personal,' considered context used, obviously bearing standing. do protecting identified record. invoked 'present patrons' 535, 573, 1070. group particular would-be users 18 contended impair obligations contracts. Article I, § 10, Constitution provides: 'No pass Law impairing Obligation Contracts *.' answer contention provision, indicate, legislative 19 settled line decisions, section article Constitution, obligation contracts action, impairment legislation judgments Tidal Oil Flanagan, 263 444, 451, 44 197, 198, 382. 20 finally due process proposition stated these words: 'The confers results individuals. 22, 846, 22 affirmed. 23 Affirmed. 24 REED JACKSON took consideration decision case. 25 Chief VINSON, dissenting. 26 told, 'unique.' I agree characterization. Court, species arguments, exception otherwise easily understood doctrine. While hope majority's 'unique' another way saying today relegated precise facts tomorrow, must voice my dissent. majority seems recognize, albeit ignore, thought plain case.1 this: covenants, whatever think them, legal nullities far doctrine concerned; unlawful them; them method they contravenes statute. 28 struck down judicial vendees. decided decree ouster had purchased enjoying. not. operated directly deprived 'equal protection.'2 29 different. 30 identifies assessed breaching promise willingly voluntarily petitioners, neither nor proscribes. Indeed, occupants occupancy undisturbed, regardless outcome suit. nothing enjoyment 31 plain, admitted fact identifiable buy, properties lawsuit, properties, decisive me. means defect, removed deal issue seeks inject litigation contract. valid face, parties—unless forbids enforcement—without afoul promulgated interference 32 turn, first, matter decide states issue: 33 '* erspondent, action?' 34 Logically met usually met—at 'threshold';3 precede discussion merits claim. Yet amiss point failed things first; decides then, comforted merits, resolves doubts merits. decisions—long enough warrant respect most hardened skeptic strength stare decisis Court's cases—establishes principle4 stay deciding what today—from doing imposing novel several contract choose. deep-rooted, vital demands refrain until issue.5 agrees 'salutary' principle, supplies small sampling rigorously many situations, sophistry apply Accordingly, show, outset, she, herself, unnamed amorphous class, victim discrimination complains.6 Respondent makes showing. ask Instead, asks non-Caucasians—whoever be—who might, point, vendees encumbered similar Had designate agent anonymous, certainly Yet, happens self-appointed principals identify—in order relieve covenant—the finds able over asserts today. tenuous spawn springs today's decision.7 37 told restricts impose 'self restraint.' depends, analysis, willingness govern power. And characterize self imposed mean self-removable simple self-serving argument. logic, reduced barest outlines, fashion. self-imposed reaching dissipated why exist holds having feels free abandon preclude view, surmount hurdle well-established proceeding argument carrries circle back departure. be, assumes, vindicated admission controversy predicated anxious upon. assent manner vindicating unknown, puts personal predisposition paramount proscriptions reached, lawsuit kind Amendment, absence decisive. resting express determination parties, dealt attempt innocent immediate harm. 39 plaintiffs relief. very solemn helped bring existence. turn plaintiffs—indemnify bringing about event recognized cause plaintiffs. ourselves fancied real. influx neighbors wrong, control exact neighbor accordingly. precisely did. Moreover, must, pleading stage accept profited execution bargain; observance raised value properties. By suit, disgorge gained expense depreciation neighbors' 40 speaks 'coerce' abide agreement. already breached. undisturbed occupancy. Furthermore, consented 'coercion' be—by entering Plaintiffs legally obligated occur 41 Of course, elements coercion. Coercion minds signed this, feel economic compulsion agreements. visiting 'the full coercive government' forcefully removing fell discriminatorily defined. indemnify undertake hold stands bar law. 42 Obviously interfere compels so, basis sustain defense. limited not; decline recognize reasons. Since rest alone, aside predilections social adhere restrict review—remembering restraint sense self-restraint.8 43 Because how avail total strangers—the chosen assert—and find impaired requiring recognizes am unwilling join decision. Petitioner Pikaar signer successor interest signer. sale here, restraining members defined unenforceable contravened statutory restraints alienation. Wayt Patee, 46, 269 660; Title Guarantee Trust Garrott, Cal.App. 183 470. Frothingham Mellon, 262 447, 486—489, 597, 600—601, 67 1078 (federal taxpayer revenues applied); Doremus Board Education, 429, 434, 394, 397, 475 (state 'a measurable appropriation disbursement funds occasioned (state) activities complained of'); Tileston Ullman, 318 44, 63 493, 87 603 (doctor declaratory deprive patients lives provess law); Tyler Judges, 179 410, 206, 208, 252 (landowner notice registration party, although proceedings, 'his remain unaffected' subsequently declared unconstitutional); Gange Lumber Rowley, 326 295, 66 125, 90 85; Alabama Ickes, 302 478—480, 300, 301—304, 374; 162—164, 71—72, 169 (four allege themselves suffered, suffer, treatment adequate remedy law). compare Illinois McCollum 333 203, 234, 461, 462—476, 649. Goldstein 114, 1000, 1312; Hale Henkel, 201 43, 69—70, 370, 376—377, 50 652, premises invaded illegally-seized evidence excluded. closely linked individual. 1949, epitomized language, 19, 845, 1161: doubt complete phrase. undisputed disclose willing desired establish homes. sellers; accordingly consummated. active intervention supported panoply power, restraint. 'These cases, suggested, merely abstained leaving individuals discriminations fit. Rather, available government grounds race color, financially acquire grantors sell. Compare Montgomery Building Construction Trades Council Ledbetter Erection 1952, 178, 179, 196; Public Workers Mitchell, 1947, 330 75, 86, 556, 562, 91 754. derives, nature conferred Art. III At early history, Marshall thus: extend constitution take place, equity,' law, justice. then given words article. Cohens Virginia, 1821, Wheat. 264, 257. ramifications Brandeis' concurring 1936, 341, 480, 688. Frankfurter, 1939, 985, 1385, sets forth today: 'In endowing 'judicial Power' presupposed historic content phrase relied assumption judiciary authority issues appropriate disposition judges. ultimate responsibility determine invoke circumstances. scope consequences review executive fastidiously bounds litigious confined. seriously infringement tribunal except specialized vindicate, apart political belongs all. Stearns Wood, 236 229, 475; Fairchild Hughes, 258 126, 274, 499. adjudicate claimant special, individualized stake it. self-constituted spokesman view Judges Registration, 1900, 252, generally cited leading aspect governing jurisdiction. prime object plaintiff up pursued. Save few instances where, sue another, prosecutes public, as, example, nuisance, aver great body fellow citizens.' 406, 207. voiced again various through decades. See, e.g., Lampasas Bell, 1901, 180 276, 368, 527; Cronin Adams, 1904, 108, 219, 365; Winnebago, 1907, 354, 509, 836; Rosenthal York, 1912, 226 260, 27, 57 212; 1914, 169; Manufacturing 1915, Sprout City South Bend, 1928, 277 163, 502, 833; 1943, 603; 1945, 1953, 468. Similarly, reliance, brief, 1917, 149, precedent minimum standing, misplaced. vendor attacked zoning ordinance prohibited Negroes. attack founded theory unconstitutionally abridged purchaser, vendee's buy being subject state. invalid unreasonable classification. 1925, relies, challenged forbidding unreasonably (the school's) assertion school's determining Stone dissenting Butler, 78—79, 312, 324—325, 477.

Category: 1