Abstract:
History and experience teach us that our Constitution and laws can be instruments of racial discrimination and oppression as well as tools for advancing freedom and equality. The substance of our laws matters, and there is much to be learned from innovative policies and legal strategies around the country. In addition to laws promoting health equity and racial justice at the state, tribal, and local levels, a new federal Executive Order has the potential to drive major positive change if fully and properly implemented. Just as important, however, is linking legal advocacy with dynamic social movements, shrewd communication strategies, and courageous civic leadership that insists on transformative change. In this article, I briefly recount the turbulent relationship between law and equity in our nation; discuss the elements that can lead to major progress through law; and recommend specific steps that different actors can take to move an equity and opportunity agenda forward.
摘要:
历史和经验告诉我们,我们的宪法和法律可以成为种族歧视和压迫的工具,也可以成为促进自由和平等的工具。我们法律的实质很重要,从全国各地的创新政策和法律策略中可以学到很多东西。除了在该州促进健康公平和种族正义的法律之外,部落,和地方层面,一个新的联邦行政命令有可能推动重大的积极变化,如果充分和适当的实施。同样重要的是,然而,将法律宣传与动态的社会运动联系起来,精明的沟通策略,和勇敢的公民领导,坚持变革。在这篇文章中,我简要叙述了我们国家法律与公平之间的动荡关系;讨论可以通过法律取得重大进展的要素;并建议不同行为者可以采取的具体步骤,以推进公平和机会议程。