[Verse 1] Let me tell you 'bout Equal Protection Found in the Fourteenth, that's the section Courts look at laws in different ways Three levels of review, for different days Mmm... let me break it down [Chorus] Equal Protection under the law Three different standards that we saw Each level tells us what to do When looking at these laws anew (Oh, let me tell you more...) [Verse 2] Strict scrutiny's the highest kind For fundamental rights we find Race and religion lead the way National origin has its say Government needs compelling reason Narrowly tailored for the season No other way to reach that goal That's what makes this standard whole [Bridge 1] Some laws need more justification Others pass with less frustration Let the courts show you the way As Equal Protection has its say [Verse 3] Intermediate scrutiny comes next For gender-based laws in our text Important interests must be shown Substantial relation must be known Like VMI and Craig before These cases opened up the door Middle ground is where they stand As courts review across our land [Verse 4] Rational basis, soft and low Most laws only need to show Legitimate interest in their aim Reasonable relation to their claim Economic rules and social ways Usually see better days Unless they're based on pure bias Then courts might look with careful eyes [Bridge 2] Remember these levels as you go Each one with its special flow From strictest high to rational low That's what Equal Protection wants to show [Final Chorus] Equal Protection under the law Now you understand what you saw Three levels working day by day Keeping discrimination away (Oh, keeping justice alive...) [Outro] From Brown to VMI Each case helps us realize The promise of equality Through different standards we can see Equal Protection... protecting you and me...
