The United States of America (USA) 14th Amendment of the constitution was ratified on 9 July 1868, and given citizenship to all the people, naturalized and born in the USA, including the former slaves who had been freed. Additionally, the amendment prohibits the state from refusing people of their liberty, life or property unless the due process laid down by the law is followed to the latter. The amendment also forbids the state from denying any individual within the jurisdiction, protection of the law, which is equal. The amendment had a goal and role expand the civil rights protection the citizens of the United States of America. The amendment gave all the people living in the US the right to undertake lawful avocation and trade without any restrictions and enjoying an equal treatment from the state.
The amendment changed the relationship between the Bill of rights and the States in various ways. In formulating the Civil Rights Act in 1866, the Congress house utilizing the power and authority provided to implement the newly ratified amendment that illegalized slavery and safeguards the black American’s rights. The first sentence of the 14th amendment reads ‘Every individual naturalized or born in the USA and subject to its territories, are the state’s citizens’. This disowned and disagreed with the Dred Scott decision in 1857, of Supreme Court, where Roger Taney, the Chief Justice had written that black people could not claim citizenship rights under the federal constitutions.
The 14th amendment read that the states shall not enforce or make laws that interfere with or reduce the immunities and privileges of the citizens of the US. This largely enhanced the legal and civil rights of every citizen of the country through protecting them from mistreatment by the federal government and the states.
The amendment guaranteed all the citizens the right to life, property ownership and liberty. This has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to provide more light on the way states should allow citizens to enjoy their rights, for instance, free religion exercise, freedom of speech, and even the freedom to bear arms, all of which are in the Bill of Rights. The amendment assures all the people within the country’s jurisdiction full protection of the law. This aimed at eradicating discriminations against the minority black by the states government. This has played big role overtime determining landmark cases of civil rights.
The context of the amendment was to eradicate discrimination and ensure fair treatment amongst all the citizens of the United States of America. Guaranteeing equality for all the people is very important as it gives equal opportunities to all, without discriminating any. People enjoy equal protection of the law and access to necessary services from the government.
The government has developed the Equality Act, which will amend the Civil Rights Act if passed by Congress. The Bill discourages discrimination on the grounds of gender identity, sexual orientation in housing, employment, public education, public accommodation, credit and federal funding. The states have illegalized the discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). The Equity Act aims to assure protection for this community of LGBT nationwide. The legislative branch of government is responsible for equality advancement. Congress is required to pass the Bill, making it a law to be implemented and give the affected group the necessary protection.