A timely re-release exploring the history behind one of the Supreme Court's most consequential constitutional questions. With the Supreme Court poised to issue a landmark ruling on birthright citizenship, I'm re-releasing one of the most important conversations we've had on the subject. In this episode, historian Martha S. Jones discusses her groundbreaking book, Birthright Citizens: A History of Race and Rights in Antebellum America, which traces the origins of birthright citizenship long before the Fourteenth Amendment—and long before today's immigration debates. We explore how free and formerly enslaved Black Americans fought to define who belonged in the United States, challenged efforts to deny them citizenship, and helped lay the foundation for one of the Constitution's most consequential guarantees. We also discuss the Dred Scott decision, the colonization movement, the legal strategies Black Americans used to claim their rights, and why understanding this history is essential to understanding the debate today. Although this conversation was originally recorded in 2019, its historical context is arguably even more relevant today. If you found this conversation helpful, like this episode and follow @electorette for more conversations on democracy, constitutional rights, and the people shaping America's future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices