Reviewed by Pam Hinrichs

Just Action is a follow-up to The Color of Law, written by Richard Rothstein. The Color of Law has been called a landmark work. It described and documented how Federal, State, and local governments purposefully implemented comprehensive racist housing policies and segregation well into the latter part of the 20th century and the consequences of those policies and laws that continue into the present. It is not necessary to read The Color of Law before Just Action because Just Action contains an excellent concise summary of The Color of Law.

Just Action outlines numerous and diverse ways to address the injustices described in The Color of Law. Co-author Leah Rothstein is a housing policy expert with an impressive resume. Her expertise is evident in the actions outlined which are imaginative, often complicated, and not always easy to implement, but necessary for justice.  As the authors state, because segregation was purposeful, the remedy must also be purposeful. "Apologies cannot compensate for existing damage."

A couple of quotes were particularly meaningful:

"For significant progress, it's not necessary for every person who cares about an issue to engage in such activities, but some must . . . We are hopeful that this book will give readers tools to get involved and become activists, but we are realistic. Most readers . . . will not lead actions to challenge segregation and shouldn't be expected to do so. But those readers are now aware of the many paths they can take. Some will attend meetings or protests but not direct them. Others will add their donations and votes to help make activists successful. A movement to redress segregation requires participants in all of these roles." p. 243

"The redress of segregation . . . requires both past- and future-focused efforts; we should accept the obligation to change policies and practices that perpetuate segregation and adopt those that compensate for past injustices." p. 244

I found the book to be very hopeful and positive. There is something for every one of us to do. We just need to pay attention and be curious. I highly recommend this book, especially to those of us who can be overwhelmed by the scope and breadth of the problem and are uncertain about how to be part of the solution and how to do justice.