Question

Since ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, the Supreme Court has been asked to decide what kinds of discrimination violate the Constitution. First, what specific part of the amendment applies to discrimination? Second, since 1868 how has the Court's interpretation of this part of the amendment and race discrimination more generally changed, if at all? What factors do you think have been important in the Court's decision making to cause it either to change course or maintain the status quo? In your essay, you need to bring in the cases on discrimination that we have read and/or discussed in class to support your argument. Please do not simply write a chronological summary of the cases, however. Instead, and you should use details about the specific cases to elaborate and enrich your essay.

Answer

*A. Varies