In the context of the 15th Amendment, what does 'race' refer to?

The correct interpretation involves understanding how the term 'race' is utilized within the context of the 15th Amendment, which focuses on voting rights and the prohibitions against denying the right to vote based on race. In this historical context, 'race' predominantly refers to visible physical characteristics that differentiate groups of people, notably skin color.

'Race' captures a broad spectrum of identities, but in this legal framework, it is essential to recognize that the amendment was specifically concerned with ensuring that all citizens, particularly those of African descent who were historically marginalized, were granted the right to vote without discrimination based on their skin color.

While ethnicity, gender, and nationality all represent significant aspects of identity, they do not align with the primary focus of the 15th Amendment, which is distinctly about race as it pertains to the societal and legal implications tied to individuals' skin color and the historical context of racial discrimination in voting rights. Understanding this distinction illuminates the foundational intention of the amendment to ensure protection against racial discrimination in the electoral process.