Answer:
protect the rights of African Americans
Explanation:
The provision provided in the question above is part of the United States 14th amendment, section 1 which was ratified in 1868. The major purpose of the provision is to protect the freed slaves, majority of which are the African Americans in the United States of America.
This provision granted citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States," of which African Americans are inclusive, and it also granted guaranteed rights, which includes: Privileges and Immunities of Citizenship, Due Process, and Equal Protection.
Hence the right answer is protect the rights of African Americans
