Calvados, I don't think you understand. It's not just that the wording could be interpreted as I suggested, it is a simple fact that it is how it has been interpreted countless times over the decades. It is an equal protection clause for all United States citizens.

And you should be happy because the 14th Amendment has indeed been used to influence Congress in passing other equal protection laws. A perfect example of this is the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974. Congress passed this law specifically in response to the women's movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Before the law as enacted, women were routinely treated differently than their male counterparts when seeking credit. However, although it was enacted in response to the struggles of women, the law has been used to protected African-Americans (and other mintorities) from discrimination as well.