This text explores how the legal history and judicial decisions of the United States contribute to the dynamic societal debates Americans are having around race today. It pairs historical cases and primary sources with contextual commentary, to ensure students comprehend how decisions from the past deeply impact the laws they have inherited as well as shaping contemporary issues and political movements. This framework also highlights the distinctive characteristics of the various time periods, and how they connect to other eras, so students fully appreciate the events and environments that influenced each case. Written in an accessible and engaging style, it avoids the traditional focus of many caselaw books and instead promotes a sound understanding of the legal concepts and dynamics that inform current discussions of racial identities, challenging the usual development of doctrinal law and court decisions defining race. An Instructor Manual is available online, with additional teaching resources and assessment materials for each chapter, to foster meaningful class discussions about future choices and how to pursue a more equal nation.