The Fourteenth Amendment contains 2 important clauses: "the due process" clause and "the equal protection" clause. "The due process" clause prevents states, at federal and state level, to pass or enforce laws that deprive citizens of life, liberties and property without "process of law". "The equal protection" clause grants equal protection under the law to all American citizens (including African Americans). This specifically refers to African Americans, because they were oppressed in many situations (in courts, by the states or by individuals), when the 14th amendment passed. The 14th amendment specifically contained the equal protection clause to make it clear that African Americans are Americans too, irrespective of their race.
