Whose Right Is It? the Fourteenth Amendment and the Fight for Equality - by Hana Bajramovic (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Since the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, Americans have been guaranteed equal protection under the law. But these protections haven't always been inclusive. In 2022, we saw the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade-a decision made in 1973 that guaranteed abortion as a fundamental right. Other critical Supreme Court decisions regarding affirmative action, immigration, and LGBTQ+ rights have been hotly debated as culture has shifted over the last several years. With the Supreme Court's narrow interpretations of the 'equality amendment'-disregarding what the drafters of the amendment said it was meant to do-the Fourteenth Amendment has shaped the conversation and legislation of civil rights and liberties in America for decades"--

Book Synopsis

A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year

Discover the truth about the Fourteenth Amendment, civil rights, and the United States' continued fight for equality in this singular nonfiction book for young readers.

The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, known as the "equality amendment," was passed in the years after the Civil War to help protect the rights and freedoms of Black Americans. In the centuries that followed, the amendment grew to protect the rights of women, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ people as well.

But in recent years, the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment has shifted dramatically. A series of
landmark Supreme Court cases--ranging from abortion to affirmative action--have rolled back the amendment's guarantees and called into question its usefulness as a tool in the fight for equality. What does
the future hold for the Fourteenth?

Hana Bajramovic's Whose Right Is It? The Fourteenth Amendment and the Fight for Equality explores how one amendment to the Constitution shaped civil rights and liberties in America and became the focus for many of today's most important political debates. Featuring historical photos and informative graphics, this book shows a new generation of activists what the fight for equality across race, sexuality, gender, and citizenship might look like in the years to come.

Review Quotes

A Junior Library Guild Selection

"In the second installment in her Whose Right Is It? series, Bajramovic presents a concise and accessible narrative of the creation, fluid interpretation, and impact of the Fourteenth Amendment . . . Clear eyed, even handed, and incredibly well documented, this ideal classroom pick accessibly introduces an essential and increasingly consequential part of the U.S. Constitution." --Booklist, Starred Review

"This tale of legal topsy-turvy perfectly portrays how our laws can remain unchanged yet be interpreted differently as legal theory and courts change. Back matter includes an index, bibliography, and source notes. Hand this exceptional overview to future constitutional law students." --School Library Journal, Starred Review

"An unraveling of the historical tapestry of the Fourteenth Amendment's genesis, evolution, and impact . . . Bajramovic's thorough research and accessible writing make this an important resource for readers interested in understanding the complexities of constitutional law and the ongoing struggles for civil rights and social justice. A meticulous and captivating account of the fight for civil rights." --Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Hana Bajramovic's Whose Right Is It? The Second Amendment and the Fight Over Guns

A Junior Library Guild Selection

"A compelling, clear analysis of one of our country's oldest dilemmas: how to balance gun rights with public safety. It tells the full and true story of the Second Amendment, and points to a way to bring sanity to our gun laws. A remarkable primer for all ages." --Michael Waldman, author of The Second Amendment: A Biography

"Hana Bajramovic provides readers with a compelling overview on the history of guns in the United States and the changing, conflicting interpretations of the Second Amendment certain to stimulate conversation and thinking on the part of future generations." --Award-winning author Doreen Rappaport

"The story is fascinating and, in its evenhanded treatment of the subject, valuable for research and classroom use. . .Extremely well documented, the book concludes with an epilogue that brings the book up-to-date, making it both important and timely." --Booklist

"[E]ven readers personally invested in the gun rights position will find the historical context eye-opening." --The Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

About the Author

Hana Bajramovic has an English degree from Harvard University and JD from Yale Law School. She has worked for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and at the New York law firm of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP. She now works to defend reproductive rights and access to reproductive healthcare. She is the author of Whose Right Is It? The Second Amendment and the Fight Over Guns. She lives in Brooklyn.