Racial Justice 101

Agenda Hallmark Overview Definitions Racial Justice Hallmark Impact

Mission Mission statement action words: “The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all”.

Means of mission alignment Create national corporate identity Establish core competencies Demonstrate a shared vision Why Hallmark?

Hallmark Standards Implemented with the intention of influencing racial justice and women’s economic empowerment. Have a demonstrable and direct impact on hallmark issues in the local community. Have measureable results. Create mission-focused change.

Definitions Discrimination : Denial of justice and fair treatment of a person or group based upon something other than individual merit, such as race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin. Prejudice : A negative or hostile attitude toward a person or a group of people, based on negative stereotypes, without really knowing them, which can lead to discrimination. Stereotype : An oversimplified generalization about a person or group of people without regard for individual differences among members of that group.

Defining Racism Racism in the US and most of the world is a system of hierarchy and inequality based on race. It operates historically, institutionally and culturally to produce preferential treatment, privilege and power for white people at the expense of people of color. Definition: race based prejudice + privilege + power to discriminate or oppress.

Identifying Forms of Racism Individual Racism – personal prejudice and any act that assumes the superiority of one race over another. Interpersonal Racism – the individual and institutional expressions of the superiority of one race’s heritage and values over that of another. Institutional Racism – any policy or practice of an organization which benefits one race at the expense of other races. Structural Racism – unexamined laws, policies, traditions and rituals; consistent and long- term disparities for groups of people. Presentation Title

Obvious Intentional Racism Obvious Unintentional Racism Subtle Intentional Racism Subtle Unintentional Racism

The Cycle of Socialization Fear Ignorance Confusion Insecurity Breaking the cycle = Liberation

White Privilege WHITE PRIVILEGE: A privilege is a right, favor, advantage, immunity, specially granted to one individual or group, and withheld from another. (Webster's. Italics mine.) White privilege is an historically based, institutionally perpetuated system of: (1) Preferential prejudice for and treatment of white people based solely on their skin color and/or ancestral origin from Europe; and (2) Exemption from racial and/or national oppression based on skin color and/or ancestral origin from Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Arab world.

Internalized Racism (1) The poison of racism seeping into the psyches of people of color, until people of color believe about themselves what whites believe about them -- that they are inferior to whites; (2) The behavior of one person of color toward another that stems from this psychic poisoning. Often called “inter-racial hostility;” and (3) The acceptance by persons of color of Eurocentric values. (See Harris and Ordoira, op. cit. pp. 304—316.)

Defining Racial Justice Proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts and outcomes for all.

Examples of Racial Justice Racial Justice  Racial justice education forums  Services that decrease race-based disparities  Advocacy to eliminate criminal justice disparities  Workforce development for women of color “Racial justice” focuses on eliminating racism.

Levels of Change Towards Racial Justice

Racial Equity Racial Justice diversity (diversity = variety) Racial Justice equality (equality = sameness) Racial Justice equity (equity = fairness, justice)

Defining Racial Equity All people have full participation and access to the benefits and institutions of society – including health care and education, safe and affordable neighborhoods, viable and sustainable employment, the right to vote – are free from discrimination, hate and harassment.

Examples of Racial Equity All school districts report suspensions and expulsions. District-wide cultural competency training and implementation required. School resources distributed based on individual need. Parents advocate for equal access to school books for all students.

Measure of Equity The extent to which people who are least powerful have as much say as those who are most powerful.

Results-Based Programming for Hallmark Impact--Steps 1. Examine the situation; why does the problem exist? 2. What do we want to change about the situation? 3. What approaches could accomplish these changes? 4. What resources are needed to carry out the approaches? 5. What performance measures should be tracked to evaluate if success occurs and what contributes? 21

1. Clarify Situation/ Disparities/ Problem(s) External Racial Justice Example: There is a significant racial disparity in the incarceration rate which is parallel to racially disparate rates of discipline and graduation in the public school system. This is a problem that has become known as the School-to-Prison Pipeline.

2. Determine Desired Outcomes Students of color will have increased school completion rates. Students of color will have decreased rates of suspension and expulsion. The racial disparity in incarceration rate will decrease.

3. Determine Activities that will Lead to Outcomes Teach life skills, non-violent communication and conflict transformation skills, cultural competency and marketable job skills through: Girls Inc. curriculum in the community. Structured employment and training programs. Restorative Justice Circles in conjunction with public schools to divert students from more punitive discipline. SKILLS Workshops offered at alternative schools to address housing and financial literacy for at-risk youth.

4. Determine Resources Needed to Carry Out Activities Staff to effectively work with a diverse group of young students. Partnerships with the local alternative schools and the school district. Partnerships with community centers. Relationships with local employers who are willing to work with youth. Restorative Justice Facilitator training and education.

5. Establish Basis for Evaluating Success 75% of girls in Girls Inc. will exhibit an increase in GPA. 50% decrease in suspensions and expulsions of students engaged in YWCA programs. 80% of Restorative Justice Circle participants will report a decrease in antisocial behavior.

Racial Justice YWCA Advocacy Priorities Elimination of Racism Affirmative Action Hate Crimes Increased political leadership and power for women and people of color

Racial Justice Affinity Group The GLA started a Racial Justice Affinity group for current Racial Justice program staff or for YWCAs that are looking to start a Racial Justice program and would like some support and guidance. This group discusses issues, ideas, best practices and other experiences on the subject of anti-racism work. We meet on the third Thursday of each month at 2:30 EST/1:30 CT. Anyone is welcome to participate in the calls. We alternate between inviting presenters and hosting general information sharing and networking calls.