Who said the Constitution is colorblind?
Asked by: Mr. Justice Rath | Last update: April 11, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (24 votes)
Justice John Marshall Harlan, in his famous dissent in the 1896 Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson, declared, "Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens," advocating for racial equality before the law. While he is credited with coining the phrase, the concept of a colorblind Constitution also has roots in earlier abolitionist thought, though his application of it in Plessy was foundational to later debates on race and law.
Who said the Constitution is color blind?
"Our constitution is colorblind." It was Marshall's favorite Harlan quotation, and is now so familiar that we take it for granted. But to get to the point of coining it in his great dissent of 1896, John Harlan of Kentucky, one-time slave owner and defender of slavery, had to come a very long way.
What does Harlan mean by the phrase "Our Constitution is color blind"?
Constitutional colorblindness is a legal and philosophical principle suggesting that the Constitution of the United States, particularly the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, should be interpreted as prohibiting the government from considering race in its laws, policies, or decisions.
What was the famous quote from Plessy v. Ferguson?
If the civil and political rights of both races be equal, one cannot be inferior to the other civilly or politically. If one race be inferior to the other socially, the Constitution of the United States cannot put them upon the same plane.
What was John Marshall Harlan known for?
Harlan became known as the Great Dissenter for his fearlessness in diverging from the Court, often on his own. His most famous dissent came in Plessy v. Ferguson, in which the Court condoned the "separate but equal" theory of racial segregation.
Constitutional colorblindness
How many slaves did John Marshall own?
At the time of Marshall's death in 1835, he held nearly 200 individuals in bondage. In 1823, Marshall became the first president of the Richmond branch of the American Colonization Society, an agency dedicated to sending free Black people to the West African colony of Liberia.
What was Benjamin Franklin's famous quote?
For example, one of the most-popular sayings attributed to Franklin is, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” This appears to be a combination of two Franklin proverbs. Other famous Franklin quotes are well-documented. In “Advice To A Young Tradesman,” Franklin writes that, “Remember that time is money.”
What is Thomas Jefferson's most famous quote?
Thomas Jefferson's most famous quote comes from the Declaration of Independence (1776): "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Other well-known quotes include his emphasis on an informed citizenry and a free press as vital for liberty, and his thoughts on the necessity of resistance to tyranny.
What is the famous quote from the Constitution?
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of ...
Who is the most famous colorblind person?
There isn't one single "most famous" colorblind person, but highly recognizable figures include actor Robert Redford, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, musician Sting, Prince William, and scientist John Dalton (who researched color blindness and gave it the name 'Daltonism'), alongside numerous athletes like Tiger Woods, and artists who adapted their work, like illustrator Loren Long.
What does article 7 of the U.S. Constitution say?
Article VII of the U.S. Constitution is about the ratification process, stating that nine of the thirteen states' conventions needed to approve it for the Constitution to become the law of the land, establishing a pathway for the new government to take effect without requiring unanimous consent from all states, which had previously stalled the Articles of Confederation.
What is a colorblind Constitution?
idea of colorblindness is a declaration by Justice John Marshall Harlan: “In. respect of civil rights, common to all citizens, the Constitution of the United. States does not . . . permit any public authority to know the race of those. entitled to be protected in the enjoyment of such rights. . . .
What did Justice Harlan mean when he said that the Constitution is color-blind?
Ferguson, Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote, “Our constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens.” Racial conservatives have argued that Harlan's dissent should invalidate policies that partially redress the historical injuries inflicted on African Americans.
Is Bill Gates colorblind?
Yes, Bill Gates is colorblind, a fact he revealed in 2016, and it's noted that he's even influenced design choices, like creating a colorless mode in the game Zuma, because of his color vision deficiency (CVD). He is listed among other famous individuals with color blindness.
What did Benjamin Franklin think of the Constitution?
I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I ...
What did Thomas Jefferson say before he died?
Thomas Jefferson's last words are famously associated with the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with reported phrases like "Is it the Fourth?" or "This is the Fourth of July," although his actual final words to his doctor were more prosaic: "No, doctor, nothing more," as he refused a final dose of laudanum. He died on July 4, 1826, the same day as his friend John Adams, and the date held deep significance for him.
What is the most famous quote ever said?
There's no single "most famous" quote, but top contenders include Neil Armstrong's "That's one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind," Shakespeare's "To be, or not to be," and FDR's "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," with others like "I have a dream" and "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" also highly recognized across different contexts.
What is the famous quote colonists are known for saying?
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry signaled the coming revolution when he spoke at a Virginia convention and allegedly implored: “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
What did Mark Twain think of Benjamin Franklin?
As Twain put it, Franklin's “simplest acts were contrived with a view to their being held up for the emulation of boys forever – boys who might otherwise have been happy.” Twain could trust that Franklin's works would be familiar to almost any audience, a ubiquity truly unusual for the time.
What were Benjamin Franklin's last words before he died?
Benjamin Franklin's reported last words were, "A dying man can do nothing easily," uttered to his daughter, Sarah, when she suggested he move to a more comfortable position in bed as he was struggling to breathe. He died on April 17, 1790, at the age of 84, with these words reflecting his struggle with his final illness, according to The National Constitution Center.
Who originally said death and taxes?
'Nothing is certain except death and taxes' - Benjamin Franklin, 1789.
Who appointed more judges, Trump or Obama?
While President Obama appointed more judges overall (around 330-334) across his two terms compared to Donald Trump's single term (around 226-245), Trump appointed a higher proportion of powerful appellate court judges and more Supreme Court justices (three vs. Obama's two), significantly shifting the courts' ideological balance, especially the circuit courts.
Who was the greatest Chief Justice of all time?
While "greatest" is subjective, John Marshall (4th Chief Justice) is overwhelmingly considered the most influential for establishing judicial review and federal power, laying the Supreme Court's foundation. Other contenders for impact include Earl Warren, known for civil rights, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., celebrated for his jurisprudence, but Marshall's foundational role in shaping American law sets him apart for many, earning him the moniker "the Great Chief Justice".
Can the president change the number of Supreme Court justices?
No, the President cannot unilaterally change the number of Supreme Court Justices; that power belongs to Congress, which can pass a law (like the Judiciary Acts) to alter the size, and the President would then sign it, but the President cannot just add justices on their own. Congress sets the number of justices, and while historically it's been nine since 1869, they have the constitutional authority to change it through legislation, though doing so for purely political reasons (like "court packing") is controversial and has never succeeded, notes Stevens & Lee and NBC News.