ARC Racial Impacts Revised 10-27-09

8/3/2019 ARC Racial Impacts Revised 10-27-09

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Measuring the RacialImpacts of Public Policies

Host: Alliance for Metropolitan Stability

Presenter: Terry Keleher



Presentation Overview

• Racial Impacts Matter

• Racial Equity

• Racial Equity Impact Assessments

• Developing Equitable Policy



Racial Justice

Racial Justice ≠ Diversity

(Diversity = Variety)

Racial Justice ≠ Equality

(Equality = Sameness)

Racial Justice = Equity

(Equity = Fairness, Justice)



Racial Justice:

Related Values and Key Ideas

• Equity / Equitable Outcomes

• Inclusion / Accessibility

• Equal Opportunity

• Dignity / Human Rights• Fairness / Fair Treatment

• Shared Power and Resources



Racial Justice

Definition: Racial Justice is the creation andproactive reinforcement of policies, practices,

attitudes and actions that produce equitablepower, access, opportunities, treatment,impacts and outcomes for all.

Indicators: Equitable impacts and outcomesacross race is the evidence of racial justice.



Racial Justice:

Strategy for Change • Focuses on changing systems, institutional

practices, policies and outcomes.

• Cannot just be reactive -- must propose equitablesolutions and engage in proactive strategies.

• Requires ongoing consciousness and strategicaction. We cannot be “colorblind” or silent.



Dominant Terms of Race Debate

• “Post-Racialism”

• “Transcending Race”

• “Color - blindness”

• “Playing the Race Card”



Contested Questions

• What is racism?

• Does racism exist?

• Who’s responsible?

• What do we do about it?



Different Levels of Racism

Internalized Interpersonal

Institutional Structural

MICRO LEVEL MACRO LEVEL



Institutional Racism

Institutional racism occurs withininstitutions. Institutional racism is

discriminatory treatment, unfair

policies and practices, and

inequitable opportunities andimpacts, based on race.

Example: A school system that

concentrates people of color in themost overcrowded, under-funded

schools with the least qualified

teachers.



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 peopleand disadvantage people of color.

Example: The “racial wealth divide”

(where whites have many times thewealth of people of color) results

from generations of discriminationand racial inequality.



Dimensions of Structural Racism

1. History: cumulative impacts of roots andfoundation of white domination in the U.S.

2. Culture: normalization and replication of

racism in our everyday lives.

3. Interconnected institutions and policies:

compounding relationships and rules that

legitimate and reinforce racism.

4. Racial ideology: dominant ideas and myths

that perpetuate racial hierarchies.



It’s All in the Eyes (I’s)

Narrow View

of Racism

Racism is ONLY…

Comprehensive View

of Racism

Racism is OFTEN…

Individual bias Institutional inequity

Intentional acts Impacts of actions

Isolated incidents Infused throughout society

Immediate and

obvious

Invisible and insidious

In the past In the present



Changing the Focus

From: Personal Prejudice

To: Institutional Inequity

From: Attitudes and Intentions

To: Actions and Impacts

From: “Who’s a Racist?”

To: “What’s Causing Racism?”





Four Goals of Legislative Report

Card on Racial Equity

• Share a tool that helps us talk explicitly about race.

• Expose the racial dynamics and unintended consequences of “colorblind” policies.

• Create a multiracial and multi-issue framework to advance

racially equitable policymaking.

• Legitimatize racial equity as a standard for measuring

government effectiveness.



Racially Equity Criteria

• Does the legislation explicitly address racial outcomes andwork to eliminate racial inequities?

• Will the legislation increase access to public benefits andinstitutions for communities of color?

• Does the legislation advance enfranchisement and full civicparticipation for all people?

• Will the legislation protect against racial violence, racialprofiling, and discrimination?

• Is the legislation enforceable? Are these mechanisms inplace to ensure accountability?

• Does the legislation preserve and strengthen American Indian

tribal sovereignty?



Editorial: “Pay attention to

state's racial equity”

“ Perhaps more important than the report's call for action onspecific legislation is its plea for greater attention to the

racial impact of everything state government does. That's amessage those who care about the state Minnesota is

becoming should heed.”

--Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial, Jan. 29, 2008(commenting on MN Legislative Report Card on RacialEquity released by Organizing Apprenticeship Project)



Racial Equity Impact Assessments

• A careful examination of the likely impacts of a

policy proposal in order to minimize disparities andfoster racial equity and inclusion.

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



Racial Equity Impact Assessment

Key Questions

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

2. What may be some adverse impacts or unintendedconsequences that could have a negative impact onracial equity?

3. What changes could be made to make the proposalmore equitable and inclusive?



United Kingdom Model:

Race Equality DutyEstablishes a “general duty” for public authorities:

1. to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination;

2. to promote equality of opportunity betweenpersons of different racial groups, and;

3. to promote good relations between persons of different racial groups.



United Kingdom Model:

Race Equality Duty

Establishes a “specific duty” for public authorities:

1. to prepare and publish a “race equality scheme”or a “race equality policy” (for educational

institutions); and

2. to monitor and publicly report employmentpatterns and address any differences or

disadvantages.

and, authorities conduct a Race EqualityImpact Assessment on proposed policies that



King County Model:

Equity and Social Justice Initiative • Policy development and decision-making

(including use of Equity Impact Review Tool)

• Service delivery

• Internal education and communication

• Community partnerships



King County Model:

Equity and Social Justice Initiative

"It is unacceptable that the color of your skin or your

home address are good predictors of whether youwill have a low birth weight baby, die from diabetesor your children will graduate from high school orend up in jail.”

--King County Executive Ron Sims



City of Seattle Model: Racial and

Social Justice Initiative

• Change Teams in all City Departments

• Race and Social Justice Strategic Plans

developed by each Department

• Budget and Policy Filters used for Racial Equity

Analysis in policy and budget making.



City of Seattle Model: Racial and

Social Justice Initiative• "Race and Social Justice" Neighborhood Matching

Fund Grant Program

• Contracting Development and CompetitivenessCenter

• Seattle Police Department Racial ProfilingAccountability Plan

• "Don't Borrow Trouble" campaign combats

predatory lending practices



Minnesota Models

• Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission uses equity impact assessments.

• Minneapolis Public Schools completed a Racial,Cultural and Economic Equity Impact Assessment

for its School Choice Options (CSO) Education

Equity Organizing Collaborative (EEOC)

• St. Paul Racial Equity Impact Policy

(proposed) for developments that receive a public

subsidy of $100,000.



Criminal Justice

Racial Impact Statements

• Iowa, Minority Impact Statements required to

examine impacts of new sentencing laws prior

to passage.

• Connecticut: Racial and Ethnic Impact

Statements for proposed new sentencing laws

• Wisconsin, Illinois: Commission on Reducing

Racial Disparities in the Wis. Justice System



Racially Equitable Policies

Principles:

1. Target Institutional and Structural Inequities

2. Focus Explicitly on Racial Equity

3. Prioritize Impact Over Intention

4. Redefine Government Accountability

5. Foster Strategic Alliances



Racially Equitable Policy

Development• Identify and engage stakeholders

• Identify and document racial inequities

• Examine the causes• Identify goals

• Develop proposal to advance equity

• Consider any adverse impacts• Examine alternatives, make improvements

• Ensure viability, sustainability and success



Elements to Include in Policies

1. Define racial inequality / racial equity

2. Develop mechanism to study racial disparities

3. Include an “Equity Mandate”

4. Require “Race Equity Strategic Plans”

5. Community engagement and capacity-building

6. Community Education and Communication

7. Require racially disaggregated data collectionand reporting



1. Define Racial Inequality

/ Racial Equity

• Example: The International Convention on theElimination 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 whichhas the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairingthe recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on anequal footing, of human rights and fundamentalfreedoms in the political, economic, social,cultural or any other field of public life.”



2. Develop Mechanism to Study

Racial Disparity

• Create an authorized body to study problems of racial disparities.

• Examples: Illinois established a commission toaddress disproportionality in child welfare; andCalifornia created a Disproportionality Task Force.



3. Adopt an Equity Mandate

• Require public agencies to make it their duty toeilimiate 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.



4. Develop Racial Equity Strategic

Plans • Public agencies develop and publish cohesive

plans with objectives, strategies, action stepsand timetables. The Plan development involvespublic participation, review and input.

• Examples “Race and Social Justice Strategic

Plans” (Seattle, WA); “Race Equality Schemes”and “Race Equality Policies” (UK)



5. Foster Community Engagement

and Capacity Building

• Encourage public participation and supportcommunity initiatives to advance equity.

• Example: Florida provides technical assistanceto community organizations that help identify

permanent families for children of color infoster care. Seattle has a “Race and SocialJustice Neighborhood Matching Fund GrantProgram”



6. Engage in Community

Education and Communication • Provides opportunities for ongoing learning and

communication within and across government

agencies and between government and thepublic.

• Race conversations (King County, Washington)



7. Implement Comprehensive Data

Collection • Data collection, analysis and reporting for all

identified social groups, with ongoing

monitoring, evaluation and information toinform future strategies

• Race Equity Schemes and public employment

reporting (U.K.)



Strategic Framework for

Advancing Racial Equity 1. Focus on systemic inequality.

2. Focus on impacts rather than intentions.

3. Address racial inequity explicitly, notexclusively

4. Propose solutions focused on equity andinclusion.

5. Engage and empower stakeholders.6. Prioritize racial justice in all social justice

efforts.



Applied Research Center

www.arc.org

ColorLines

www.colorlines.com

RaceWirewww.racewire.org

Documents

ARC Racial Impacts Revised 10-27-09