Tools and Concepts for Strengthening Racial Equity Presentation to School District U-46 January 10, 2011 Terry Keleher

RACIAL JUSTICE: KEY CONCEPTS Racial Justice

Diversity (Diversity = Variety)

Racial Justice

Equality (Equality = Sameness)

Racial Justice = Equity (Equity = Fairness, Justice) Applied Research Center

RACIAL JUSTICE: KEY VALUES AND IDEAS • • • • • •

Equity/ Equitable Outcomes Inclusion / Accessibility Equal Opportunity Fairness / Fair Treatment Dignity / Human Rights Shared Resources Applied Research Center

Racism: More Than Meets the Eyes (I’s) Narrow View Racism is ONLY…

Comprehensive View Racism is OFTEN…

Individual bias

Institutional Inequity

Intentional acts

Impacts of actions

Isolated incidents

Infused throughout society

Immediate & obvious

Invisible and insidious

In the past

In the present

Applied Research Center

RACIAL JUSTICE: DEFINITION 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. Applied Research Center

RACIAL JUSTICE: SYSTEMS ANALYSIS  Racism is not simply individual prejudice. Racialized outcomes don’t require racist actors. • Structural racism is a system of social structures that produce cumulative, durable, race-based inequalities. • A systems analysis of racism examines how historical legacies, individuals, structures, and institutions interact to distribute advantages and disadvantages along racial lines. (Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity)

Applied Research Center

Applied Research Center

DIFFERENT LEVELS OF RACISM MICRO LEVEL

Internalized Racism

MACRO LEVEL

INTERNALIZED

INSTITUTIONAL

INTERPERSONAL

STRUCTURAL

Internalized racism lies within individuals. These are private manifestations of racism that reside inside our minds. Examples: prejudice, xenophobia, internalized oppression and privilege, and beliefs about race influenced by the dominant culture. Applied Research Center

Applied Research Center

Interpersonal Racism

Institutional Racism Institutional racism occurs within institutions. Institutional racism is discriminatory treatment, unfair policies and practices, and inequitable opportunities and impacts, based on race.

Interpersonal racism occurs between individuals. Once we bring our private beliefs into our interaction with others, racism is now in the interpersonal realm.

Example: A school system that concentrates students of color in remedial classes and white students in advanced placement classes.

Examples: public expressions of racial prejudice, hate, bias and bigotry between individuals. Applied Research Center

Applied Research Center

Structural Racism Structural racism is racial bias across institutions and society. It’s the cumulative and compounded effects of an array of factors that systematically privilege white people and disadvantage people of color. Example: The “racial wealth divide” (where whites have many times the wealth of people of color) results from generations of discrimination and racial inequality.

Strategies for Addressing Racism at Different Levels Internalized Racism

• support groups, racial healing • mentoring, counseling, education

Interpersonal Racism

• diversity trainings • cross-cultural dialogues, dinners

Institutional Racism

• changing policy and practices • creating new institutions

Structural Racism

• highlighting history, root causes • challenging racist myths & ideas • challenging multiple institutions or addressing their intersection

Applied Research Center Applied Research Center

RACIAL JUSTICE: STRATEGY FOR CHANGE

CHANGING THE FOCUS

• Focuses on changing systems, institutional practices, policies and outcomes. How can we institutionalize equity?

From: Personal Prejudice To: Institutional Inequity

• Cannot just be reactive—we must propose equitable solutions and engage in proactive strategies. What will move us forward towards racial equity and unity?

From: Attitudes and Intentions To: Actions and Impacts

• Requires ongoing consciousness and strategic action—we cannot be “colorblind.” How can we consciously be part of the solution rather than unconsciously part of theResearch problem? Applied Center

Racial Equity Tools

From: “Who’s a Racist?” To: “What’s Causing Racism?” Applied Research Center

Racial Equity Tools (continued)

• Mission and Mandates (U.K. Race Equality Duty)

• Racial Equity Impact Assessments (Minneapolis Schools)

• System-wide Initiatives (Equity & Social Justice Init., King Co.)

• Equitable Policies (Criminal sentencing legislation)

• Strategic Plans (City of Seattle)

• Professional Development (Boston Public Health Commission)

• Disparity Studies (James Lick Middle School)

• Community Education & Communication (teacher home visits)

• Disaggregated Data Collection/Retreats (Niles School District)

• Community Engagement/Partnerships and Capacity Building (community equity roundtables, public events and films)

Applied Research Center

Applied Research Center

RACIAL EQUITY IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

RACIAL EQUITY IMPACT ASSESSMENTS: KEY QUESTIONS

• A careful examination of the likely impacts of a policy proposal in order to minimize disparities and foster racial equity and inclusion.

1. What ways will the proposal have a positive impact on racial/ethnic equity and inclusion?

• It can be a vital tool for facilitating race-conscious analysis of proposed policies, practices or programs.

Applied Research Center

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? Applied Research Center

A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY

Applied Research Center

ColorLines

• Mission: “U-46 will be a great place for all students to learn, all teachers to teach, and all employees to work. All means all.” (Five-Year Accountability Plan for Continuous Improvement, 2010-2015) • Aim: “College & Workplace Readiness and Elimination of Achievement Gaps” (Five-Year Plan) • Excellence + Equity = Shared Success. A commitment to excellence and equity must go hand in hand. Excellence without equity breeds disparity. Equity without excellence breeds mediocrity. Applied Research Center

arc.org

colorlines.com Applied Research Center