Housing segregation in the United States was shaped by federal housing policy in the twentieth century. Government agencies created redlining maps that restricted mortgage access in Black neighborhoods. The Federal Housing Administration insured loans primarily in racially homogeneous suburbs. The GI Bill expanded homeownership but was unevenly administered, limiting access for Black veterans. These policies structured long-term disparities in home equity and wealth accumulat

Following the Civil War, Reconstruction-era law enforcement frequently prioritized protection of property and agricultural production over equal protection of Black communities. Property crimes and contract disputes were prosecuted aggressively, while racial violence often received inconsistent legal response. Examining these enforcement patterns provides critical context for understanding how “law and order” historically functioned to preserve economic stability and ownershi