About Us

The Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law confronts the laws, policies, and practices that lead to the oppression and marginalization of people of color. We believe that the racism that permeates our present day legal system has deep roots. By documenting the history of racism in America, elevating the stories of those affected by race-based inequality, and rigorously applying a racial lens to analyze unremitting disparities, we identify actionable, forward-looking solutions to address the injustices caused by racism and then take action. 

Our Work

Event Spotlight

At the 28th annual Derrick Bell Lecture on Race in America Society, Mehrsa Baradaran '05, Professor of Law at University of California Irvine School of Law, delivered her lecture, "The Spirit of the Law: Race and Legal Hypocrisy."

Media: Vincent Southerland on Washington News Bureau

Listen to Co-Faculty Director Vincent Southerland: "New TSA security tech raises concern about the potential of misidentifying minority travelers."

Recent Reports

Racial Segregation in Housing Policy (PDF: 20.7 MB) highlights some of the present-day policies and practices that continue to perpetuate a racial caste system in the United States.

Building Safe, Thriving Communities: Research-Based Strategies for Public Safety (PDF: 7.11 MB) lays out a new path for public safety using research-based strategies in policing, prosecution, and sentencing.

The Problem with Parole: New York's Failing System of Release makes policy recommendations to transform the parole system, putting redemption and rehabilitation first. 

Take Action Now

We've put together the information you need to make a difference.

Volunteer opportunities to advance racial justice

Advocacy tips and resources

Anti-racist resource guides, articles, and books