Massachusetts Constitution, Articles 1. Equality and natural rights
Massachusetts Constitution – Part the First, Article I: Equality and Natural Rights
🔹 Full Text of Article I (as originally adopted in 1780 and amended):
"All people are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness."
(Amended by Article CVI of the Amendments, 1976)
"All people are born free and equal and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness. Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed or national origin."
🔹 Key Principles:
Inherent Freedom and Equality:
Declares that all people are born free and equal, a foundational Enlightenment-era principle.
This forms the philosophical basis of Massachusetts’ commitment to individual rights.
Natural Rights:
Lists life, liberty, property, and pursuit of happiness as unalienable rights.
These rights cannot be taken away by the government and are considered intrinsic to human existence.
Anti-Discrimination Clause (1976 Amendment):
Prohibits denial of equality under the law based on:
Sex
Race
Color
Creed
National origin
🔹 Historical Significance:
This article, written by John Adams in 1780, predates the U.S. Constitution and directly influenced its Bill of Rights.
It played a pivotal role in abolishing slavery in Massachusetts via court rulings like Commonwealth v. Jennison (1808) and Quock Walker cases (1781–83), where the courts held that slavery violated this Article.
🔹 Modern Impact:
The 1976 amendment was among the earliest in the U.S. to explicitly include sex equality in a state constitution.
It continues to support legal decisions and policies affirming civil rights and equal protection in Massachusetts.
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