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

Upcoming Events:

 

Wednesday, April 3th

Love and Liberation: In Conversation with Mike and Debbie

Join us for an intimate conversation with former political prisoners, Mike and Debbie, as they illuminate their experiences with parole, perseverance, and racial justice advocacy.

When: 5:30-7:30PM ET

Where: Greenberg Lounge, Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012

 

Thursday, April 4th

Meet the Authors: Reformation, Abolition, and Innovation

Join authors Renee Knake Jefferson, Sateesh Nori, Jane Spinak, and Ray Brescia in a conversation around critical issues facing the civil justice system in the U.S. 

When: 6:30-8:20PM

Where: Vanderbilt Hall 214, 40 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012 (Virtual option available)

Excessive Sentencers: Using Appellate Decisions to Enhance Judicial Transparency Report

In New York, appellate courts review sentences for excessiveness and can reduce them in the “interest of justice,” a rare and clear signal—from highly-respected institutional actors—that a lower court judge made an exceptionally troubling choice. This report, released in partnership by the Center and Scrutinize, assesses appellate court decisions to reduce sentences, revealing patterns of excessive sentencing by individual judges and raising questions about judicial accountability in New York.

Read the full report here. 

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

The Center's 2023 Addendum to the Problem with Parole: New York State's Failing System of Release shows that racial disparities in parole release decisions have continued to worsen since 2021.

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