Specifically, equal protection under the law for all U.S. citizens. But that only applied to state actors, not individuals. And racial covenants were private contracts.
The Shelly decision argues that while the contracts are between private actors, the enforcement of them is state action and therefore unconstitutional.
Dissolves the distinction between state and private action. Every private contract assumes state enforcement. According to Shelley, every private contract must conform to constitutional standards.
SCOTUS and lower courts recognize this flaw and they don't even apply Shelley’s rationale. The do the opposite: they enforce private agreements that would violate constitutional rights, e.g., the right to free speech.
The author has a negative attitude toward the reasoning of Shelley v. Kraemer. We know that because the purpose of the passage is to criticize the legal rationale of the decision. So we should look for a phrase that conveys a negative opinion.
This is the only phrase that conveys a negative opinion. (”Noxious” means harmful, poisonous, or unpleasant.)
Difficulty
89% of people who answer get this correct
This is a slightly challenging question.
It is somewhat easier than other questions in this passage.
CURVE
Score of students with a 50% chance of getting this right
25%128
138
75%148
Analysis
Author’s attitude
Implied
Critique or debate
Law
Answer Popularity
PopularityAvg. score
a
2%
151
b
5%
154
c
1%
152
d
2%
152
e
89%
161
Question history
You don't have any history with this question.. yet!
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