Race and the Law in the United States
A Contemporary Perspective

A senior undergraduate textbook exploring the issues and themes within race and law today, and how these can be explained by the past.

Michelle D. Deardorff (Author)

9781009096362, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 5 June 2025

381 pages
25.3 x 17.6 x 2 cm, 0.73 kg

'Race and the Law in the United States represents a uniquely comprehensive treatment of the legal concepts and dynamics regarding race and the law in the U.S. Its excellent collection of primary sources will allow students from various backgrounds and perspectives to gain an expansive view of the topic and fuel the development of their own opinions.' Morgan Hazelton, Saint Louis University

This text explores how the legal history and judicial decisions of the United States contribute to the dynamic societal debates Americans are having around race today. It pairs historical cases and primary sources with contextual commentary to ensure students comprehend how decisions from the past deeply impact the laws they have inherited, as well as shape contemporary issues and political movements. This framework also highlights the distinctive characteristics of the various time periods and how they connect to other eras to provide students with a full appreciation of the events and environments influencing cases. Written in an accessible and engaging style, it avoids the traditional focus of many caselaw books and instead promotes a sound understanding of the legal concepts and dynamics that inform current discussions of racial identities, challenging the usual development of doctrinal law and court decisions defining race. An Instructor Manual is available online, with additional teaching resources and assessment materials for each chapter, to foster meaningful class discussions about future choices and how to pursue a more equal nation.

Preface
Introduction: the legal construction and development of race
1. Race, the constitution, and slavery
2. Race. citizenship, and sovereignty
3. Race and segregation
4. Race and state obligation
5. Race, culture, and identity
6. Race and constructing democracy'
7. Race and the limits of the law
Conclusion: what do we owe democracy?
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Constitution: government & the state [JPHC]