The Color of Law (review)
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
by Richard Rothstein
reviewed by Sasha Bley-Vroman
Department:
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
by Richard Rothstein
reviewed by Sasha Bley-Vroman
I had struggled before over whether to speak during worship, but this was different. It was near the close of worship, and a long-time member was sharing a folk tale from childhood. The story clearly moved him, and I can only imagine it was intended as a gift, a tender ministry for all of us in worship. But it was not a gift, at least not of the kind intended.
Jed Walsh and Mackenzie Barton-Rowledge are close friends who do police and prison abolition work together. They sent Western Friend a conversation about what abolition means to them, and how it fits into their lives as Quakers.
Mackenzie: Let’s start with: What does being a police and prison abolitionist mean to you?
At the level of an individual family, an abused person can walk away from their abuser; they can start a new life elsewhere. That is also possible in a Quaker meeting or even in the Society of Friends – abused members of our Quaker family can leave, and they do.
