1. Understanding Racial Justice Framing In Maternal and Child Health

2. Acknowledgements Thank you to the Boston Public Health Commission for the development of these materials. This module relies heavily on the following activity: Rat Bites Infant: Copyright 2000, Racial Justice Leadership, by Terry Keleher, Applied Research Center (Revised 3/08)

3. Objectives Examine framing issues in public health; Practice skills in reframing issues in public health with attention to health disparity and racism.

4. Rules of the road for tonight One of the key competencies in PH is called “Cultural Competence” Do we know what that means? What does that look like in real life PH? Be brave & respectful

5. What are FRAMES? Frames are mental structures that shape the way we see the world. As a result, they shape the goals we seek, the plans we make, the way we act, and what counts as a good or bad outcome of our actions…frames shape our social policies and the institutions we form to carry out policies. George Lakoff (Professor of Linguistics at UC Berkeley)

6. Frames are systems of thinking that are based on the morals, standards, values and aspirations of a society. Frames are evoked by communication devices, such as images, symbols, metaphors and stories that connect to our deepest and most durable beliefs. Frames are “principles of selection, emphasis and presentation composed of little tacit theories about what exists, what happens, and what matters." Frames

7. Dominant Frames Dominant frames are ideas, attitudes and beliefs that are shared collectively They evoke certain standards, values and morals that are reinforced and continued throughout society and across time

8. Racist Frames Target and scapegoat people of color--as criminal, dysfunctional, undeserving, parasitic, etc. Often serve larger political agendas If left unchecked, lead to racist policies which can hurt not only people of color but all of us

10. What is Racial Justice? the creation and proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, and outcomes for all people, regardless of race.

11. Racial Justice Frames Focus on structural racism and systemic inequality rather than simply personal prejudice Focus on impacts rather than intentions Address racial inequality explicitly (but not necessarily exclusively)

12. Racial Justice Frames Propose solutions that emphasize equity and inclusion rather than diversity Develop strategies to empower stakeholders and target institutional power-holders Make racial justice a high priority in all social justice efforts

13. Alternative Frames Dominant Frames Alternative Frames Personal Responsibility Collective Responsibility Individualism Common Good Dangerous World Global Family, Linked Fate Competition Shared Prosperity Law & Order Civil Rights/Human Rights Authority & Control Empathy, Dignity Meritocracy Equal Opportunity, Fairness

14. Values Frames are based on and largely reflect values that we hold individually and as a society The way we understand, talk about & solve a problem is rooted in and influenced by values When we talk about “judgy tone” in your memos and reading reflections, really what we are talking about are VALUES.

15. Values in public health Shame-based anti-obesity? and this Failure as a lesson

16. Elements of Framing What’s the PROBLEM? Who/ What is RESPONSIBLE? What VALUES are highlighted? What’s the SOLUTION? What’s the needed ACTION?

17. Rat Bites Infant An activity

18. Readers Theater Four volunteers

19. Story one “Rats Bite Infant”

20. According to this version of the story, what is suggested, whether it’s stated explicitly or implied: 1. What is the problem? 2. Who’s responsible? 3. What solution is proposed? 4. What action is suggested?

21. Story two “ Rat Bites Infant: Landlord, Tenants Dispute Blame”

22. According to this version of the story, what is suggested, whether it’s stated explicitly or implied: 1. What is the problem? 2. Who’s responsible? 3. What solution is proposed? 4. What action is suggested?

23. Story three “Rat Bites Rising in City’s ‘Zone of Death’”

24. According to this version of the story, what is suggested, whether it’s stated explicitly or implied: 1. What is the problem? 2. Who’s responsible? 3. What solution is proposed? 4. What action is suggested ?

25. Story four “Rat Bites Reveal ‘Racial Redlining’ in City’s Public Health Services”

26. According to this version of the story, what is suggested, whether it’s stated explicitly or implied: 1. What is the problem? 2. Who’s responsible? 3. What solution is proposed? 4. What action is suggested?

27. Debriefing Who is responsible in the first story? In the second?

28. Race Conscious The fourth story also focuses responsibility on the health agency but also frames it as institutional racism – this frame is about government accountability with a racial justice frame. Moving from a “race silent” frame focused on “individual blame” to one that is “race conscious” and focused on “institutional accountability.”

29. Race-silent v. race explicit The third frame is race silent; while the fourth explicitly addresses racism, by naming the problem as racism and offering a race conscious solution to ensure fairness in the future. Victims v. Leaders: The third frame portrays the neighborhood residents as victims and culprits; while the fourth story depicts people of color as informed and active residents with voice and agency in seeking positive change.

30. Universal v. Equity Frame “Universal” frame – if we can get funding restored, everyone can benefit. “Racial equity” frame––we need to make sure resources are distributed fairly; but also includes a universal frame––we need more funding to protect the public health for everyone. Without illumination of the racial disparities, what happens?

31. Reacting v. reframing React to dominant frame: end up in debate about the dysfunction of individual welfare recipients or the problems of the entire welfare system. Reframe: shift debate to the role of government institutions and public policies in contributing to racial disparities and conditions of poverty.

32. FRAMES AND REFRAMING IN PUBLIC HEALTH Try out your topic

33. Your Topic FRAMING DOMINANTALTERNATIVE What’s the PROBLEM? Who’s/What’s RESPONSIBLE? What’s the SOLUTION? What’s the needed ACTION? What VALUES are highlighted?

34. Tips for Framing Issues with a Racial Equity Lens Frame first and frequently, reframe on your own terms (negating dominant frames often reinforces them) Elicit emotions (humanize issue for empathy, anger) Project positive shared values (equity, inclusion) Evoke images (visual, clear, memorable) Create a clear, complete, compelling story with viable solutions and doable actions

35. RACIAL JUSTICE FRAMES AND PUBLIC HEALTH Why are they important to Public Health?