Just Action by Richard Rothstein and Leah Rothstein is a phenomenal book as a follow up to their last book Color of Law about segregation in the United States. Just Action begins to discuss how to dismantle the government and societal-imposed discrimination that has run rampant in the United States. This book is incredibly interesting but doesn't hold the attention as much as the previous Color of Law. Still, there are so many important facts, stories, and lessons that we can all learn from this reading.

Richard Rothstein follows up 2017's The Color of Law with Just Action, in collaboration with his daughter Leah Rothstein. While The Color of Law recounted the "unconstitutional fashion by which government at all levels created segregation", Just Action outlines the steps that can be taken to undo it, illustrating the power everyday citizens have in their own hands.

Broken into four parts, Just Action tackles subjects ranging from the Supreme Court to gentrification to contract housing to realtor bias, affordable housing, and rent control. It covers historical and current events. They shine the light on existing laws in place that are not leveraged to reduce segregation, and demonstrate over and over again how an action may start small and have a large impact. Their research takes them across the country to a wide range of neighborhoods and cities, state and local governments.

They provide real world examples in numerous anecdotes highlighting the institutional systems in place that propagated segregation. In Just Action, they show that it will take systemic action to reverse it.

My thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for the ARC.

The Color of Law is one of my favorite books so I was very much looking forward to this book laying out ways to further address some of the issues laid out in that one. Just Action continues in both its description of the inequities that live in our systems, such as inherent racism which leads to a lack of generational wealth, incarceration issues, and the lack or poor quality of education in different areas, and the ways to start addressing them. While the book feels a tiny bit repetitive if you read The Color of Law, this also allows for Just Action to stand on its own and I feel that I can recommend it without having to tell patrons to read another book first, though I will highly recommend both. I. loved that Mr. Rothstein brought in his daughter to coauthor this title as an expert in her own right on public policy and community issues. A big thank you to W.W. Norton & Company, Liveright, and NetGalley for the early access in exchange for my honest opinion. 4.5 stars

This is the book I was waiting for! I had read the “Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein and learned so much about the de facto and de juris discrimination that has happened and is still happening in many communities. This book follows up on the research of that book and is written by Richard and his daughter Leah. This book lays the foundation of what the challenges are and shares solutions created and implemented by communities. There are so many inspiring actions outlined here, this book gave me hope! Some of the ideas came from groups in Chicago and since I live here I feel that I can take the next step in addressing the inequities in my community. I recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and W.W. Norton & Company for an ARC and I left this honest review voluntarily.

As a follow-up to The Color of Law, this book provides suggestions for how local groups can impact the segregation that has become built into our housing system. While provided in a more narrated form, I almost felt like it should have included bullet points and maybe checklists to separate the action items from the information or stories provided around the suggestions. I would suggest that anyone wanting to read this book read The Color of Law first to provide a solid foundation; however, there is a lot of repetition between the two books. Additionally, the book focused on groups, which may not be something everyone is comfortable with or able to be involved in. I would have liked to have seen suggestions for how individuals could contribute. Covid showed us how postcards could help influence the vote. Are there similar things that can be done in regards to housing? I fear not enough people will read this book or be motivated enough to join local action groups. We are great at quick bursts of enthusiasm. This problem needs strong, continued focus at both the local and national level.

Just Action extends the work Richard Rothstein did in The Color of Law, his groundbreaking account of how the federal government promoted and enforced residential racial segregation, offering practical ways to attempt to ameliorate and reverse its long-term effects. Having read and loved The Color of Law, I don't find Just Action unduly repetitive. It provides additional and updated historical detail while obviating the need to read the first book (though the first book is so eye-opening, I think every American should read it.). As does The Color of Law, Just Action deserves a place in every public and high school library.

Five stars

A follow-up to Color of the Law that deals with steps people can take.

I was expecting this to be more like Color of the Law, which I really enjoyed. That had a lot of data and examples that backed its central argument. I think Just Action would've been better condensed as a chapter or two onto Color of the Law. It felt too preachy for me at times, and felt drawn out. I also missed the excellent research from Rothstein that made Color of the Law so successful.

Just Action is part history, part call to action about what people can do in their own neighborhood to fight residential segregation. One thing I really like about this book is that Just Action can be read on it's own without needing to read "The Color of Law". Overall, Just Action is very easy to read/understand for anyone who is newer to this topic.

This book is a follow up to Rothstein’s The Color of Law, a fascinating and detailed look at how the government contributed to segregation within our cities.

Just Action felt like a mix of education and call to action. There were so many things that I did not know, especially when it comes to renting and tenancy, that I already feel the need to go back and read parts of the book again.

I appreciated the chapters in the book that called out specific ways to support your local communities.

I'm so glad that Richard Rothstein & Leah Rothstein wrote this book! It's a follow up to Mr. Rothstein's book, The Color Of Law, which I highly recommend. I have learned so much reading both of these books. Just Action stands on it's own; you don't need to read The Color Of Law first. The Color Of Law focused on the US Government's sanction and enforcement of racism in housing policy. Just action, blends information about past (and current) racist policies with insight into what can be done to lesson the effects and harm done by these policies. This book is a must read for anyone interested in racial justice in the USA. I hope it will be widely read. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest opinion.