The Color of Law – Richard Rothstein

In, The Color of Law, A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, national best selling author Richard Rothstein argues with exacting precision and fascinating insight how segregation in America is the byproduct of explicit government policies at the local, state and federal levels. Join us for a moderated virtual plenary session with Mr. Rothstein. Jared Johnson, Executive Director of Transit Matters, will moderate.

Following the plenary, Newton-native and Community Activist, Richard Evans, will speak about the devastating impact the building of the Mass Pike had on, “The Village”, his family and Newton’s historic African American community. City Councilor , Deb Crossley, who is Chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee and is also an architect, will then give an overview of Newton’s zoning reform planning process. Attendees will come away with a deeper understanding of the systemic issues that contribute current housing inequities, particularly as Newton engages in a comprehensive review of its zoning codes.

This event is cosponsored by the Newton Free Library, FORJ and the League of Women Voters/Newton.

Registration is required. Please register here. 

In preparation for this event, attendees are encouraged to watch the the 17-minute video, Segregated by Design, which was written and narrated by Richard Rothstein and directed by Mark Lopez.

This program is part of Overdue: Confronting Race and Racism in Newton, a city-wide read and series of events and conversations on race and racism and is cosponsored by the League of Women Voters/Newton.

Check out this guide for more anti-racism resources. You can order a copy of The Color of Law from Newtonville Books.

The Mass Turnpike had a great effect on displacement of open space and the African American community in West Newton.