Unmasking American Segregation - The Color of Law

Forget the idea that racial segregation in America is simply the result of private choices or preferences. This episode delves into the argument that segregation was, in fact, created and maintained by explicit government policies and actions at the federal, state, and local levels. Drawing on a forgotten history, we explore how programs from public housing construction to federal mortgage insurance were designed and implemented to ensure neighborhoods were racially separate.

Discover how the government supported or even required policies like racist zoning ordinances and the inclusion of racial restrictions in property deeds for homes built with federal financing. Learn about instances where government-backed violence was used to prevent African Americans from living in white areas. These deliberate actions concentrated minority populations, creating what the sources refer to as "ghettos" – neighborhoods where government not only concentrated minorities but also established barriers to their exit.

The episode examines the profound and lasting consequences of this government-sponsored segregation, including suppressed incomes and limited opportunities for African Americans. It highlights that understanding this history is crucial for recognizing the enduring impacts today and for addressing the collective responsibility we share in rectifying these past violations. Tune in to uncover the essential role of law and policy in shaping the segregated landscape of America.

Reference Page

Rothstein, R. (2017). The color of law: A forgotten history of how our government segregated America. Liveright Publishing Corporation, A Division of W. W. Norton & Company.