Post-Racial Constitutionalism and the Roberts Court

This week's review applies a critical race theory lens to the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts, examining the impact of Roberts's position of neutrality on cases related to race.

Posted on July 3, 2023 in Reviews of the Month

Post-Racial Constitutionalism and the Roberts Court: Rhetorical Neutrality and the Perpetuation of Inequality

Powell, Cedric Merlin. Cambridge, 2022
250p bibl index, 9781108839945 $110.00, 9781108881210

A truly deep, complex consideration of the current Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts, Post-Racial Constitutionalism and the Roberts Court provides a critical race theory examination of the Roberts Court with particular attention to notions of inequality. Powell (law, Univ. of Louisville) explores the doctrine leading to some of the most important cases in contemporary times. Across eight short chapters, he exposes how the Roberts Court has ignored or inconsistently considered issues of race. The book is especially powerful because it provides context for the history of race and jurisprudence. Giving Reconstruction its due place, Powell helps show how influential previous cases were on society and how the Roberts Court’s inaction is exponentially significant. The conclusion is a must read for every scholar of law considering the next steps for the role of law in issues of race. Powell’s work is powerful for laying a historical foundation and using examples to show how that foundation has impacted jurisprudential thought. Post-Racial Constitutionalism and the Roberts Court is recommended for all readers interested in criminology, law, sociology, criminal justice, and history. Researchers can quickly see that there simply is not another book quite like this, making Powell’s work groundbreaking.

Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty and professionals.
Reviewer: A. R. S. Lorenz, Ramapo College
Interdisciplinary Subjects: Law & Society, Racial Justice
Subject: Social & Behavioral Sciences – Political Science – U.S. Politics
Choice Issue: Jul 2023

Post-Racial Constitutionalism and the Roberts Court

This week's review applies a critical race theory lens to the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts, examining the impact of Roberts's position of neutrality on cases related to race.