Have students read Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment. Make sure that students understand that this amendment extended the rights of citizens to African Americans. Ask students, what rights does this amendment explicitly grant to citizens? What other rights did U.S. citizens have at this time period? Refer students to the Bill of Rights, as needed.

As a class, or working with partners, create a list of the rights guaranteed to citizens by the Constitution.

Discuss:

• Which of these rights could help African Americans gain economic opportunity? How?
• Based on the 14th amendment, what protections might African Americans have expected in response to the terror tactics being used by White supremacist groups?

Students should base their claims on particular passages from the Fourteenth Amendment or the Bill of Rights.