Racism and the Law is a text and casebook that provides an introduction to the close and complex relationships between race and law, legal institutions, and legal personnel. It is designed for undergraduate students in several fields, including political science, history, African-American studies, public policy, sociology, and criminal justice. The book combines original text with primary source documents such as judicial decisions and statutory materials. Historical, political and linguistic analyses of legal materials are provided throughout the text.

The book also deals with the major historical legal developments that have caused and reinforced discrimination against African-Americans, Asians, and Latinos, and addresses the courageous efforts of civil rights lawyers and organizations working for racial justice and equality in America. A major feature is the concluding chapter suggesting specific directions for prospective lawyers who hope to work for racial justice in the early 21st century. The volume includes a bibliography for readers who wish to explore the topics in greater depth.