Racial Justice Institute Training
The California Endowment
Building Healthy Communities
Presenters: Rinku Sen
and Tammy Johnson
Applied Research Center
Different Levels of Racism
Internalized
Institutional
Interpersonal
MICRO LEVEL
MACRO LEVEL
Structural
Unintended Racial Consequences
• Though racism is popularly understood as
personal prejudice, a lot of racial inequality is
produced institutionally and unintentionally.
• Example: California Class Size Reduction
Initiative
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Combating Implicit Bias
1. Consciously consider racial equity
2. Engage stakeholders in decisions
3. Develop viable action plans
If we do these three things at the point of
decision-making, we’ll get different results.
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Racial Justice
Definition: Racial Justice is the creation and
proactive reinforcement of policies, practices,
attitudes and actions that produce equitable
power, access, opportunities, treatment and
outcomes for all.
Indicators: Equitable impacts and outcomes
across race is the evidence of racial justice.
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Strategic Framework for
Advancing Racial Justice
1. Focus on systemic inequality rather than personal
prejudice
2. Focus on impacts rather than intentions
3. Address racial inequality explicitly but not
necessarily exclusively
4. Propose solutions that emphasize equity &
inclusion more than diversity
5. Develop strategies to empower stakeholders and
target power holders
6. Prioritize racial justice in all social justice efforts
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Elements to Include in Policies
1.
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Define racial inequality / racial equity
Formalize mechanism to study racial disparities
Include an “Equity Mandate”
Require “Race Equity Strategic Plans”
Community Engagement and Capacity Building
Account for community engagement &
communication
7. Racial Equity Impact Assessments
8. Comprehensive data collection
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1. Define Racial Inequality and
Racial Equity
• Example: The International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
defines racial discrimination as:
“any distinction, exclusion, restriction or
preference based on race, colour, descent, or
national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or
effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition,
enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of
human rights and fundamental freedoms in the
political, economic, social, cultural or any other
field of public life.”
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2. Formalize a way to Study Racial
Disparity
• Create an authorized body to study problems of
racial disparities to legitimize and document the
problem, and recommend solutions.
• Examples: Illinois established a commission to
address disproportionality in child welfare; and
California created a Disproportionality Task Force.
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3. Adopt an Equity Mandate
• Require public agencies to make it their duty to
eilimiate racial and other forms of discrimination
• Example: The United Kingdom establishes a
“general duty” that requires public authorities:
1. to eliminate racial discrimination;
2. to promote equality of opportunity, and;
3. to promote good relations across racial groups.
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4. Develop Racial Equity Strategic Plans
• Public agencies develop and publish cohesive
plans with objectives, strategies, action steps
and timetables. The Plan development involves
public participation, review and input.
• Example: The City of Seattle, Washington
requires its departments to develop and
implement “Race and Social Justice Strategic
Plans.”
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5. Community Engagement and
Capacity Building
• Encourage public participation and support
community initiatives to advance equity.
• Example: Florida provides technical assistance
to community organizations that help identify
permanent families for children of color in
foster care.
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6. Community Education and
Communication
• Provides opportunities for ongoing learning and
communication within and across government
agencies and between government and the public.
• Race conversations: The City of Charlottesville,
VA has a Dialogue on Race Initiative which is
engaging hundreds of residents in discussions
designed to lead to actions that promote racial
reconciliation, economic justice and equity.
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7. Racial Equity Impact Assessment
• A careful examination of the likely impacts of a
policy proposal in order to minimize disparities
and foster racial equity and inclusion.
• Examples: In King County, Washington public
departments use an Equity Impact Review Tool to
assess impacts of proposed policies. Iowa and
Connecticut use Minority Impact and Racial and
Ethnic Impact Statements, respectively, to examine
impacts of new sentencing laws prior to passage.
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8. Comprehensive Data Collection
• Data collection, analysis and reporting for all
identified social groups, with ongoing
monitoring, evaluation and information to
inform future strategies.
• Example: Boston Public Health Commission’s
Data Collection Regulation requires detailed data
on race, ethnicity, preferred language and
education.
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8. Racial Equity Impact Assessment
• A careful examination of the likely impacts of a
policy proposal in order to minimize disparities
and foster racial equity and inclusion.
• Examples: In King County, Washington public
departments use an Equity Impact Review Tool to
assess proposed policies. Iowa and Connecticut use
Minority Impact and Racial and Ethnic Impact
Statements, respectively, to examine new
sentencing laws prior to passage.
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Racial Equity Impact Assessment
Key Questions
1. In what ways will the proposal have a positive
impact on racial/ethnic equity and inclusion?
2. What may be some adverse impacts or unintended
consequences that could have a negative impact on
racial equity?
3. What changes could be made to make the proposal
more equitable and inclusive?
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Assessment Steps
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Identify and engage stakeholders
Identify and document racial inequities
Examine the causes
Identify goals
Develop proposal to advance equity
Consider adverse impacts
Examine alternatives, make improvements
Ensure viability, sustainability and success
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www.arc.org
ColorLines
www.colorlines.com
RaceWire
www.racewire.org
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