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Ancestry Quote by Roger Brooke Taney

“The question before us is, whether people of African ancestry compose a portion of this people, and are constituent members of this sovereignty? We think they are not, and that they are not included, and were not intended to be included, under the word 'citizens' in the Constitution, and can…” quote by Roger Brooke Taney
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“The question before us is, whether people of African ancestry compose a portion of this people, and are constituent members of this sovereignty? We think they are not, and that they are not included, and were not intended to be included, under the word 'citizens' in the Constitution, and can therefore claim none of the rights and privileges which that instrument provides for and secures to citizens of the United States.”

Roger Brooke Taney

About This Quote

The argument denies African ancestry people citizenship, claiming they are excluded from constitutional rights.

In simple terms: Denial of citizenship based on race.

Key Takeaway

Challenge exclusionary interpretations of law.

Themes

racism law citizenship

Mood

historical critical

Type

political legal

When to use this quote

  • legal debates
  • policy making
  • social justice activism

Key Concepts

civil rights constitutional law

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does this view affect modern civil rights?
  • What legal arguments counter this exclusion?
A Different Perspective

Such exclusion contradicts the Constitution’s principles of equality.

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