Thurgood Marshall Institute

Despite fierce initial opposition to the 14th Amendment, as well as political and judicial setbacks, its promise of equality and citizenship were in due time vindicated and are now central tenets of America’s constitutional identity. #AmericasTownHall @ConstitutionCtr

Eric Foner: The black church as it exists today, the black family, black schools — they all came out out of Reconstruction. Despite the period’s failures, those are some of its successes and should be recognized. #AmericasTownHall @ConstitutionCtr

Kate Masur: The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were the most important accomplishments of Reconstruction. They fundamentally transformed the Constitution, the relationship between the federal government and the states, and the rights of citizens in the face of inequality.

Nearly all panelists in the discussion ‘150 and Beyond: Debating the 14th Amendment’ essentially agree: The Supreme Court has played a critical role in watering down the promise of the 14th Amendment and Reconstruction writ large. #AmericasTownHall @ConstitutionCtr

Where do you see 14th Amendment jurisprudence going in the near future? @JNelsonLDF: #SCOTUS should revisit how racial discrimination is proved in court — both establishing intent and disparate impact of discriminatory actions should embrace a more expansive analysis.

.@KWestFaulcon: #SCOTUS should make Justice Harlan’s view of the 14th Amendment the law of the land and should revive Congress’ enforcement power over the amendment under Section 5.

This is @Profepps’ vision for the 14th Amendment: For Congress to rely on its text to advance a union of truly democratic states, where the right to vote is respected and no person is shut out of the political process for any reason. #AmericasTownHall @ConstitutionCtr

Prompted by @Sifill_LDF, @EricHolder says there’s a need to get people to be more “conversant” with the text of the 14th Amendment — just as they may be with other constitutional rights. #AmericasTownHall @ConstitutionCtr