We Americans have all kinds of holidays, most on a three-day weekend to keep the stores, many of which sell useless stuff, happy. But do we ever think of the dates when new Amendments were added to the Constitution? The whole point of Amendments, of course is that our Founders realized that the Constitution is not a cookbook, but a framework.
Today, July 9, is the date that the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted. Members of Congress in 1868 were concerned that the Thirteenth, prohibiting slavery, was not enough to protect not just the freed slaves but anyone born in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction. Yes, that means birthright citizenship.
The Amendment also prohibited states from abridging the rights of any citizen or depriving one of life, liberty, or property without due process and gave Congress the power of enforcement. One would think that the Supreme Court would have read this important Amendment and protect people from attempts by certain states to limit the voting rights of all Americans.
Prayer for the Day
You walk with us before we call on you, O Life-Changer,
Calling on us to establish the promise of justice for all;
You summon us into ever broader communities of people
Sometimes surprising us where we find them.
Turn the water of or souls into the wine of your Spirit
So we serve you more fully and completely.
In the name of the One who is our guide,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
These provisions are universal in their application, to all persons within the territorial jurisdiction, without regard to any differences of race, of color, or of nationality; and the equal protection of the laws is a pledge of the protection of equal laws….that ‘all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall have the same right, in every state and territory,
- Wick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 (1886)
Our Constitution is color-blind and neither knows or tolerates classes among citizens.
- John Marshall Harlan, dissent in Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 (1896)
There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither male nor female; there is neither slave nor free, but all are one in Christ Jesus.
Paul in Galatians 3:23