WASHINGTON – The intersection of race, law and democracy drew more than 550 law professors and scholars from around the world to American University’s Washington College of Law for the 4th National People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference.
The four-day gathering, which featured more than 300 speakers, offered more than 110 panels, colloquia, addresses and other events around the theme “People of Color and the Future of Democracy.” Topics touched on a range of social, cultural, economic and racial issues, from health, immigration and criminal justice to publishing, law school diversity and Russian election interference. 
At a panel session Friday titled “Health, Race, Ethnicity, Culture, and Law” speakers shared their perspectives on how people of color, women and other minoritized groups are disadvantaged and the impact of laws on addressing or perpetuating discrimination and inequity.
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law associate professor Gwendolyn Majette, who moderated the discussion, said efforts to “undermine” the Affordable Care Act are signs of “legal retrenchment” that threaten progress in improving the health of marginalized groups.
With no enforcement from the Trump administration of accountability reports that are supposed to be filed pursuant to the act, it’s difficult to assess and promote progress toward health goals, with the impact disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations, said the Cleveland State University law professor.
“So, how do we continue to reduce disparities?” she asked, suggesting remedies such as the federal government abiding by international human-rights treaties signed to promote the health and well-being of citizens around the globe and Christian leaders setting an example of how to “reach, teach and show love.”
Panelist Ruqaiijah Yearby, a professor at the Saint Louis University School of Law, furthered the discussion with remarks about the influence of employment discrimination and economic instability on gender and racial disparities in health.
