Famous quote by Constance Baker Motley

"The Constitution, as originally drawn, made no reference to the fact that all Americans wre considered equal members of society"

About this Quote

Constance Baker Motley, a prominent civil liberties activist and the first African American female selected to the federal judiciary, provides a crucial point of view on the intrinsic restrictions of the United States Constitution as initially prepared. Her declaration highlights a fundamental contradiction in between the suitables of equality and the practical implementation of those perfects in early American society.

At first, the Constitution was prepared without explicit reference to the equality of all Americans. This omission was not unexpected; it reflected the prevailing social and political truths of the late 18th century. At the time, deep departments existed based upon race, gender, and class. The Constitution, in its original form, mainly served the interests of landowning white guys. It implicitly endorsed systemic inequalities, as evidenced by the continued institution of slavery and the absence of voting rights for ladies and non-landowners.

Motley's quote highlights an essential aspect of American history: the evolution of the Constitution through amendments and reinterpretations to much better align with the concepts of equality and justice. The initial file, for example, included the infamous three-fifths compromise, counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person for representation and tax purposes. This shows how the starting document accommodated, rather than challenged, existing inequalities.

With time, amendments such as the 13th and 14th Amendments looked for to rectify these omissions by abolishing slavery and developing the principle of equivalent security under the law. The civil liberties movement even more spurred legislative and social modifications that promoted a more comprehensive interpretation of constitutional equality. Motley herself played a critical function in this change through her legal work, which challenged segregation and discrimination.

In essence, the quote invites reflection on the nature of the Constitution as a living document, subject to reinterpretation and modification, and highlights the ongoing battle to understand the pledge of equality for all Americans. It works as a suggestion of the work that continues to be necessary to attend to systemic oppressions and satisfy the Constitution's inclusive perfects.

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About the Author

USA Flag This quote is from Constance Baker Motley between September 14, 1921 and September 28, 2005. He/she was a famous Activist from USA. The author also have 35 other quotes.
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