Final answer:
Finding plaintiffs for public school desegregation cases was challenging due to personal safety threats, intense backlash, legal repercussions, and social stigma faced by those who stepped forward to challenge discriminatory policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
It was difficult to find plaintiffs for public school cases such as those leading to the landmark Brown v. The Board of Education decision due to several factors. Plaintiffs faced intense local and national backlash, including threats to their personal safety, as seen with Barbara Johns who had to be sent away for protection. This vitriol was a part of the broader resistance seen across the nation, with significant pushback from White communities, including setting up all-White private academies to avoid integration, or closing public schools entirely as demonstrated by the 'Massive Resistance' in Virginia.
Moreover, cases like the Harlem Nine pointed out inequities and faced accusations of being unfit parents, illustrating the social stigma and retaliation that plaintiffs could encounter. Consequently, the fear of retaliation, hostility from communities, and the potential financial ruin from engaging in prolonged legal battles made it incredibly challenging to find willing plaintiffs.