The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America

Compare how de jure segregation was implemented and enforced on the local, state, and federal level. How did discriminatory legislation affect de facto segregation within neighborhoods and in society?

The Color of Law includes examples of de jure segregation from across the United States. Is your community segregated or integrated? How did discriminatory zoning laws shape your community, and do they still exist? How did segregation or integration impact your life? If you live outside the United States, consider other forms of racial, ethnic, or class divisions in housing.

Rothstein makes a forceful case for the importance of knowing the history of segregation, writing, “only if we can develop a broadly shared understanding of our common history will it be practical to consider steps we could take to fulfill our obligations” (198). Using examples from The Color of Law and your own experience, describe what role education plays in antidiscrimination.