The 14th Amendment and the History of Reconstruction

The 14th Amendment and the History of Reconstruction

Author: National Constitution Center February 14, 2025 Duration: 1:02:35
Jeffrey Rosen discusses the 14th Amendment with Sherrilyn Ifill, the head of the 14th Amendment Center for Law & Democracy at Howard Law School and the former president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Pamela Brandwein, author of Rethinking the Judicial Settlement of Reconstruction, and Ilan Wurman, author of The Second Founding: An Introduction to the Fourteenth Amendment. They discuss the historical events that gave rise to the 14th Amendment and debate its original meaning. This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series on February 10, 2025, in partnership with the Federal Judicial Center.  Resources Ilan Wurman, The Second Founding: An Introduction to the Fourteenth Amendment (2020)  Pamela Brandwein, Rethinking the Judicial Settlement of Reconstruction (2011)  Sherrilyn Ifill, “Why are U.S. courts afraid of the 14th Amendment? Because it’s radical,” The Washington Post (Nov. 23, 2023)  Sherrilyn Ifill, “Yes, this is America: Why I’m Creating the 14th Amendment Center for Law and Democracy,” Substack (July 7, 2023)  14th Amendment  Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964  The Civil Rights Act of 1866  The Reconstruction Amendments  Brown v. Board of Education  Stay Connected and Learn More Questions or comments about the show? Email us at podcast@constitutioncenter.org Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr. Sign up to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Join us for an upcoming live program or watch recordings on YouTube. Support our important work. Donate

Hosted by National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen, We the People is a weekly conversation that digs into the constitutional questions shaping the country right now. This isn't just a history lesson, though historical context is always part of the discussion. Instead, each episode brings together leading voices-legal scholars, journalists, public officials, and advocates-to engage in thoughtful, civil debate. You'll hear genuine dialogue where participants articulate and defend their positions, offering a clearer understanding of the complex legal and philosophical principles at stake. The goal is to move beyond headlines and soundbites, providing a forum where the best arguments from all sides are presented with depth and respect. Tuning into this podcast feels like sitting in on a crucial discussion at the intersection of law, politics, and society, one that illuminates how the Constitution actively influences contemporary American life. Produced by the National Constitution Center, it serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their grasp of the nation's founding document and its powerful, ongoing role in our public discourse.
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