The Color of Law (book)

"The Color of Law" by Richard Rothstein explores the historical role of government policies in creating and perpetuating racial segregation in the United States. Rothstein argues that systematic discrimination, rather than personal prejudice alone, shaped housing markets and urban development. He details how federal, state, and local governments enforced policies that barred African Americans from fair housing opportunities, leading to widespread inequality in wealth and access to resources. The book emphasizes the need to acknowledge and address this legacy to understand contemporary racial disparities and to promote social justice.