What does the Washington v. Davis ruling indicate about discriminatory actions?

The ruling in Washington v. Davis establishes that while discriminatory outcomes may arise from a policy or practice, such outcomes alone do not necessarily indicate that the intention behind those policies was discriminatory. This is significant because it suggests that just because a rule or action has disproportionately negative effects on a particular group, it does not inherently mean that the decision-makers intended to discriminate against that group.

The correct answer highlights the nuance that while a discriminatory outcome could imply that there was discriminatory intent, this must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the context and evidence available. Thus, this ruling emphasizes the need for clear evidence of intent rather than allowing assumptions to be made solely based on outcomes. This understanding is crucial in legal contexts where proving intent is necessary to establish a case for discrimination.