Ep 3. Created Equal

In Constitution USA with Peter Sagal season 1 episode 3 titled Created Equal, Sagal explores the meaning of equality and how it relates to the US Constitution. He tackles issues like affirmative action, gender equality, and the Equal Protection Clause, which bars states from enacting laws that discriminate against people based on their race, gender, or any other personal characteristic.

The episode begins with Sagal exploring the legacy of slavery and the struggle for civil rights in America. He visits a plantation in South Carolina where slaves worked and died, and speaks with descendants of slaves and slave owners. He also visits Mississippi where the struggle for voting rights has been a long battle for African Americans and asks the question "are we still fighting for equality?"

Sagal then turns his attention to the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education and how it ended segregation in public schools. He speaks with legal experts and historians about the impact of this ruling and how it paved the way for future civil rights victories.

Next, Sagal tackles the issue of affirmative action and whether or not it is constitutional. He speaks with supporters and opponents of affirmative action, and explores the legal challenges that have been brought against it. He also looks at current court cases that may have an impact on affirmative action in the future.

The episode then shifts to gender equality, focusing on the Equal Rights Amendment, which was first proposed in 1923 and aims to guarantee equal rights for all Americans regardless of gender. Sagal speaks with supporters and opponents of the amendment, and explores the legal hurdles that have prevented its passage.

Finally, Sagal turns his attention to the Equal Protection Clause and how it has been used to protect the rights of minorities. He speaks with legal experts about the impact of the clause on civil rights, and explores current court cases that may alter its interpretation.

Through interviews with legal experts, historians, and activists, Sagal offers a thorough examination of the Constitution's role in creating an equal society. He explores the challenges that America has faced in its quest for equality, and asks whether or not we have truly achieved it. Ultimately, Created Equal offers a compelling and thought-provoking look at one of the most important principles in American democracy.