Unequal by Design: A Historical Perspective on Economic Inequality Across Communities

September 8, 2025

Month 5: The Civil Rights Movement and Economic Justice

The fifth section of the Economic Inequality series examines landmark reforms such as the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and Brown v. Board of Education ruling which sought to dismantle structural disparities in housing and education. While these efforts achieved important legal and social milestones, inequities persisted, reflecting unsolved structural challenges. Recent federal rollbacks have further weakened protections, yet also create space for new market-oriented solutions, targeted funding, and community-centered choice. The paper examines these challenges in context, offering pathways to advance opportunity, economic mobility, and local empowerment.

Download the full paper here.