Terry Corcoran

14th amendment, section 1

Section 1 of the 14th amendment represents a great advance in human history. Coded into the governing document of this nation is the right to equal protection of laws, due process under the law, and a seldom used portion regarding the privileges or immunities of all citizens from various states deciding to make second class citizens out of some.

The amendment was written in the period after the Civil War, and sadly it took longer for the promise of the 14th amendment to reach women, African Americans, the disabled, etc. but its been a cornerstone is seeing this country become a more perfect union, and that work continues to this day to make America's 14th amendment reach all of her citizens.