An Education: June 9th Marks 150th Anniversary of 14th Amendment
As President Donald Trump prepares to announce his Supreme Court nominee, here’s why the amendment’s promise of “equal protection of the laws” still matters.
Published – July 9th, 2018 By Kenrya Rankin, www.colorlines.com
On this day (July 9) in 1868, the 14th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. The landmark addition provides for “equal protection of the laws,” particularly for Black Americans. As President Donald Trump prepares to announce his nominee to the Supreme Court—who will be charged with interpreting and upholding the Constitution—this evening at 9:00 p.m. EDT, these tweets provide a look at why the amendment matters.
Today, we celebrate 150 years of the #14thAmendment, which transformed our democracy by guaranteeing equal protection for all. The work of fulfilling and preserving its promise of equality continues🇺🇸 https://t.co/9tfMWqgEJT | #SaveSCOTUS #SCOTUSpick
— NAACP (@NAACP) July 9, 2018
#OTD 1868 the #14thAmendment to the US Constitution was adopted, granting citizenship to all persons born in the US regardless of race, & guaranteeing equal protection under the law. Known as one of the "Reconstruction Amendments" it helped ensure rights for former slaves.
— Smithsonian Transcription Center (@TranscribeSI) July 9, 2018
The 14th amendment to our Constitution was ratified 150 years ago today. Section 1 contains the transformational provisions of birthright citizenship, equal protection of the laws, protection of privileges & immunities & the right to due process. pic.twitter.com/qrISwdETBw
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) July 9, 2018
Critical as well is the language extending equal protection and due process rights to “any person” – Not just to citizens. All persons in our country are guaranteed equal protection of the laws and the right to due process before being deprived of life, liberty or property.
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) July 9, 2018
But the provision – designed first & foremost to ensure citizenship for Blacks – guarantees citizenship for anyone born on our soil – a democratic innovation that set the U.S. apart from much of Europe. The brilliant scholar @marthasjones_ has a new book out that is a MUST READ. pic.twitter.com/nbxR1ugj7Z
— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) July 9, 2018
In the Standing Bear vs. Crook: Argument of G.M. Lambertson, 1879, the #14thAmendment was used to argue that Native Americans were citizens & persons under the law; setting Standing Bear & 30 Ponca Indians free who were forcibly removed & detained by the Sec. of the Interior
— Smithsonian Transcription Center (@TranscribeSI) July 9, 2018
It was illegal for my great-grandfather to become a citizen due to his race. Other Chinese couldn't be naturalized until after the Chinese Exclusion Act ended in 1943. Fortunately my Chinese grandfather was born here. Thank you, 14th Amendment.
— Jamie Ford (@JamieFord) June 21, 2018
In recent years, the 14th Amendment has also been cited in decisions that desegregated public schools, legalized interracial marriage, protected pregnant women from discriminatory policies and struck down the ban on gay marriage. #14thAmendment
— Rep. Donald McEachin (@RepMcEachin) July 9, 2018
"we have not the luxury, however, of looking back to 1868 with collective nostalgia…Today the #14thAmendment is under attack by those who see in its terms unwelcome or overtrod paths to belonging, equality, and the dignity'– @marthasjones_ https://t.co/I1UHXqwsmR
— BlackStudies at Duke (@DukeAAAS) July 9, 2018
“At this point in our constitutional history, to challenge this settled understanding of 14th Amendment ‘liberty’…is the functional equivalent of challenging the validity of the #14thAmendment itself” Thx @Sifill_LDF https://t.co/26rpehQgFp
— Mary Frances Berry (@DrMFBerry) July 9, 2018
For a deeper dive into the history of the 14th Amendment, read this Time article from Martha S. Jones, which begins, “When the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on July 9, 1868—150 years ago this Monday—it closed the door on schemes that aimed to make the U.S. a White man’s country.”