Our book recommendation this week is Perspectives on Fair Housing, the latest book in the series The City in the Twenty-First Century from University of Pennsylvania Press. Edited by UPenn Provost Wendell E. Pritchett and professors Vincent J. Reina, and Susan M. Wachter, this collection of essays examines the history of residential segregation, how it did not emerge naturally from individual preference but rather was forced through legal, economic, social, and even violent measures. The book’s various chapters focus on different aspects of segregation and discrimination, from sociological, economic, and educational perspectives, and looks beyond race to a more intersectional view of housing equality. It also offers a review of the tools that, if appropriately supported, can promote housing fairness and economic equity in America. Coinciding with the release of the book, UPenn held a series of online panel discussions with the book’s editors and contributors which can be viewed HERE.

Organizing and advocating for social change usually involves gathering for meetings, rallies, and other events. While COVID restrictions have eliminated nearly all gatherings, there is still an important way to make you voice heard: “Contact your representative.” Common Cause has created a portal on their website that makes it easy to find contact information for all your elected officials. Simply enter your zip code, and click to see telephone and website info for each of your federal, state, and local representatives. (Email can be sent via each official’s website.) It’s the simplest, most direct way to make your voice heard – even AFTER we’re allowed to congregate again en masse.

Watch a series of videos in which we asked a diverse group of civil rights and religious leaders to explain what the beloved community means to them. Also, watch and share our "Building the Beloved Community - A Renewed Call to Action" video to learn more about why now is the time to make fair housing a living reality for all.