great important reading you won't be sorry. such a great book.

Sobering! I am stunned by this book and the realization of having grown up in a country (the United States) that has essentially practiced Apartheid. In college, I became aware of Nelson Mandela and Apartheid in South Africa but I have been completely ignorant about racial injustice and enforced segregation in my own country. There's an abundance of detailed information on de jure segregation. I found it best to read a chapter then take a break as it is a lot of information to process.

This is a reveling and disturbing book on how mistreated were African-Americans up until now! I used to blame Southern Whites for all the ills of African-Americans. This book tells us ALL OF US are equally responsible, either as direct actors or bystanders.

I think a clever law firm can bring a Class-Action Law Suite on behalf of all African-Americans for damages of hundreds of Billions of dollars from Federal, State, City governments, Banks, Insurance Companies, developers and many more!

the writing, at times, can be a little dry, wonky, and dense, but this is a very good summation of the sins of our past and should be on the "must read" shelf of anyone looking to better their understanding of not just urban, but all of modern American history, especially those of us who live in such a segregated metropolis

When I hear a commentator like Jonah Goldberg bad-mouthing FDR’s administration, I can write it off as grousing by the losing side in America’s history of societal improvement. The Color of Law shows how the same administration promoted redlining and denied well-deserved loans in return for Southern Democrats’ support. While it’s disheartening to know how far short of our ideals we as a nation have fallen, Rothstein’s essential history shows how “we as a nation have avoided contemplating remedies because we’ve because we’ve indulged in the comfortable delusion that our segregation has not resulted primarily from state action and so, we conclude, there is not much we are required to do about it.” [p. 215] it’s good to know that liberal writers can at least own up to the shortcomings, honestly acknowledge mea culpa, and offer solutions, not merely joust with ideological windmills.

It makes a good case. Unfortunately, he is also realistic about the low chances for any solutions.

An essential read.

I thought this was going to be dull at first with fact after fact. However I'm glad I stuck with the book. It really goes into why areas / cities are mapped out in certain demographics today. Many of the stories in this book are disheartening but it's also good that they're finally being brought to light. I advise others to read to get a better glance at the obstacles some were placed with and against still affecting many to this day.

A well-documented history of the myriad ways in which laws and policies at all levels of government intentionally created segregation in America well into the the 1960's, and in some instances even more recently. The author clearly explains the ways in which present-day segregation and racial inequality are in large part the result of these laws and policies. He also outlines some potential remedies, but his goal is first and foremost to educate all Americans about our "forgotten history." An important book.

Richard Rothstein highlights policies along with anecdotes that demonstrate the racism and alienation of African Americans from the mainstream of society. With the inability to successfully integrate with policies that benefited their white counterparts, African Americans were designated to less affluent neighborhoods that didn't provide the best accommodations. While we can be proud as a country of the progress that has been made, their is still so much to go regarding equal opportunity for POC. While I don't believe this current administration has any interest in remedying or at least acknowledging it the problem, this book should emphasize the policies or cases needed to improve our country for everyone!