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 therefore claim none of the rights and privileges which that instrument provides for and secures to citizens of the United States.”
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.
Challenge exclusionary interpretations of law.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legal debates
- policy making
- social justice activism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect modern civil rights?
- What legal arguments counter this exclusion?
Such exclusion contradicts the Constitution’s principles of equality.