The Ninth Amendment: Personal Freedoms and Collective Concerns

Join Meg Mott, professor of Politics at Marlboro College, to discuss the 1st, 2nd, 19th and 20th amendments to the US Constitution. These talks will happen outdoors in salon-style seating.

The Ninth Amendment has all the ambiguity of an “et cetera.” Any rights, not enumerated, shall be retained by the people. But what exactly are those rights? In the 20th century, the Supreme Court recognized a right to privacy, a personal right that had not been part of the legal tradition’s understanding of natural rights. We shall consider the benefits and disadvantages of personal rights with respect to abortion and guns. In case of heavy rain, this outside event will take place on Thursday August 20 at 7pm.