Answer :
In this passage from the opinion of the court in Dred Scott v. Sandford, Justice Taney argues that Black people are not considered citizens and therefore do not have the rights and privileges granted by the Constitution to citizens of the United States. To provide a counterclaim to this argument, one could argue the following:
1. Taney fails to provide any actual evidence for his statements that Black people were universally considered inferior. One could challenge Taney's assertion by asking for concrete proof or historical evidence supporting the claim that Black people were universally viewed as subordinate and inferior at that time.
2. Taney's argument that Blacks were not citizens is false because their ancestors were forced to come here. By pointing out that many Black individuals in the United States are descendants of enslaved Africans who were brought to the country against their will, one could argue that this history undermines Taney's argument that Black people are not included as citizens.
These counterclaims provide alternative perspectives and challenge the reasoning presented in Taney's opinion, prompting a critical examination of the assumptions and assertions made in the passage from the court opinion.
1. Taney fails to provide any actual evidence for his statements that Black people were universally considered inferior. One could challenge Taney's assertion by asking for concrete proof or historical evidence supporting the claim that Black people were universally viewed as subordinate and inferior at that time.
2. Taney's argument that Blacks were not citizens is false because their ancestors were forced to come here. By pointing out that many Black individuals in the United States are descendants of enslaved Africans who were brought to the country against their will, one could argue that this history undermines Taney's argument that Black people are not included as citizens.
These counterclaims provide alternative perspectives and challenge the reasoning presented in Taney's opinion, prompting a critical examination of the assumptions and assertions made in the passage from the court opinion.