Final answer:
The Hernandez v. Texas case expanded the Fourteenth Amendment's protections to include Mexican Americans, establishing their rights to Equal Protection and addressing systemic discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Hernandez v. Texas case was important in the fight against discrimination because it marked a significant expansion of the civil rights protections afforded by the Fourteenth Amendment. The Supreme Court's unanimous decision established that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections extend beyond just African Americans to other ethnic groups, specifically including those of Mexican ancestry. This was a landmark ruling as it recognized Mexican Americans as a distinct class entitled to Equal Protection under the Fourteenth Amendment, overturning a history of exclusion from jury service and addressing institutionalized discrimination within the judicial system.