This Is Public Health Book Club discussion

Hi everyone! Hope you are doing well! This is our final book club meeting for The Color of Law; these last few chapters focus on state-sanctioned violence, policies/practices that have contributed to inequitable income and wealth distribution, and the lasting impacts of housing discrimination and segregation. Below are some questions to help guide the discussion:

1. At the end of Chapter 9, the author asks: “How long do the memories of such events [of state-sanctioned violence and de jure housing segregation] last?” How would you respond to this question? In what ways has the past continued to impact present day?
2. In Chapter 11, several systemic reasons are listed as to why residential segregation is hard to reverse. Did any of these reasons surprise you? Are there additional causes that you would add to this list?
3. Housing is one example of a social determinant of health that has widespread impacts on individual and community well-being. In Chapter 12, the author discusses cases of childhood asthma in relation to not only housing conditions, but also structural racism. What are some other examples of environmental (neighborhood and the build environment) injustices that have consequences on health and well-being?
4. In recent years, state-based legislation and national rulings have sought to remove diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in different spaces, including higher education. How do these current decisions relate to some of the core concepts discussed in The Color of Law? What are the downstream effects of such policies?
5. What are your overall thoughts on the book? What chapters stood out to you, and/or what were some of your key takeaways?