Question

Amendment 14, Section 1 has the six most important words in the Constitution: no state, due process, equal protection. Equal protection is significant to civil rights. Why? In what way would this be important to civil rights?

Answer 1

In simple words, the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment mandates states to extend equal protection of the law to each individual in its jurisdiction. Therefore, laws of the state are bound to treat all individuals in similar conditions and circumstances in the same manner. So, the states cannot deny from legally protecting an individual on the basis of the racial profile. In other words, the equality clause takes away any ability of the state to discriminate among people on the basis of race or other conditions. Therefore, the quality clause is important for the protection of civil rights.