All Things Being Equal

2007, 246 pages. The New Press, 38 Greene St., NY, NY, 10013, (212) 629-8802, www.thenewpress.com

What are the barriers to opportunity? This collection of essays sheds light on those barriers (separate and unequal public schools, racially segregated communities, and an inequitable criminal justice system) and how they limit the ability of some Americans to participate fully in the economic, political, and cultural life of the nation. The essays offer solutions that expand opportunity for all Americans and encourage policymakers to assess the impact of public policies on opportunity, modernize safety net programs starting with healthcare, renew a commitment to human rights in the U.S., prioritize crime prevention and rehabilitation, and protect voting rights and promote political participation.