Coalition for Racial Justice & Equity

 

The unjust killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and others in the Black community have culminated in a historic moment, when leaders from various industries across our nation have expressed their commitment to sparking change and supporting racial justice. We need to collaborate and create a space that leverages the voices and perspectives of our networks to help dismantle systemic racism through strategic and intentional racial equity efforts. By launching the Coalition for Racial Justice and Equity, we will serve as a conduit for change around racial justice for all groups and have a tangible impact on our underserved communities and the future generations of our nation.

Mission

The Coalition for Racial Justice and Equity aims to advance racial equity for all to transform our nation and achieve social justice. We will achieve this by…

  • Creating a space where business and community leaders come together to brainstorm actionable ways to promote racial equity in a strategic and intentional manner
  • Leveraging leadership commitment to racial justice to bring Coalition initiatives to life, thereby having a concrete impact on the community
  • Dedicating resources to racial justice efforts long-term, given the magnitude and scope of systemic racism

Focus Areas

Given the magnitude of systemic racism’s impact on society, the Coalition for Racial Justice & Equity will focus on the following key areas:
Education

The history of the United States is often taught from the perspective of the dominant culture (that is, from a colonizer’s perspective), without acknowledgment of the racist policies and actions of the U.S. government. These policies include the genocide of Native Americans and the continued breaking of numerous treaties with Native American nations; internment of U.S. citizens of Japanese descent during World War II; constitutional encoding of enslavement of Africans and others until the passage of the 13th Amendment; the post 13th Amendment imposition of Jim Crow and Sundown laws; and racial profiling of Hispanic and African Americans and other people of color that continue today.

On a post-secondary level, the disparities only continue. With the concerted efforts of both Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’S) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI’S) there have been great strides in closing some of the racial disparity gaps; however, much more work needs to be done. This is a national workplace-readiness issue. With the continuous, fast-changing demographics that we see happening across the country, what we do from this moment forward will have long-term implications in this global market in the future for the entire nation.

Justice System

As a society that lives under the rule of law, public trust and confidence are the critical foundation of our justice system. Our local, state, and federal justice systems determine legal responsibility and guilt. It is incumbent and becoming increasingly apparent that those who serve in the justice system must understand legal principles but must also be aware and knowledgeable of the impacts of their own humanness – their implicit biases – in the practice of law and the delivery of justice. Favorable and unfavorable implicit biases can affect the prosecution, defense, judicial outcomes, and sentencing. Past and current research in various jurisdictions has revealed many inequities in pre-trial release, sentencing, and fines and penalties associated with civil infractions. Unchecked biases can unjustly take away an individual’s freedom, destroy livelihoods, and have devastating implications on families. Hence, the public cries, “No Justice. No Peace.” Implicit bias training and ongoing diversity and inclusion education equip attorneys and judges to identify and combat implicit biases and ensure there is equal access to justice and there is justice for all. Our goal is to eradicate systemic racism at its core to ensure that the justice system in this country operates in the manner of, “With Liberty and Justice for All.”

Economic Development

Many people of color remain situated in communities with the lowest prospects for upward mobility. This is not an accident, as it reflects both the intended and unintended consequences of national policies that have shaped where people live and the opportunities individuals have in those communities. There are a range of policies and practices that continue to disadvantage people of color and their communities throughout the nation. Employment discrimination makes it more difficult for families of color to escape poverty or build wealth in the community. Housing discrimination through redlining, loan inequities, and high levels of displacement due to gentrification impact communities of color as well. A change is needed in order to rectify the racial injustices that characterize the local economies that define and control our communities.

Immigration

Historically, the story of immigration to America for white individuals has been framed as one of opportunity, while for people of color has been framed as a tale of laziness and freeloading. Immigration restrictions began in America as racist policies to keep “less-desirable” races and ethnicities out of the country, and until 1952, naturalization was restricted to particular racial and ethnic groups. While formal laws that strictly prohibit immigrants based on race or ethnicity no longer exist, we still see subtle ways in which laws and policies are formed to favor white immigrants. For example, the “Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” in Arizona, which essentially gave police the right to stop and question individuals who “look like an immigrant,” and the Muslim Travel Ban barring certain individuals from Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States. There have also been subtle preferences given to countries that are predominantly white, such as the “1986 Immigration and Reform Act” that granted extra visas for individuals from 36 predominantly European nations. Now, we see thousands of immigrant children of color inhumanely detained and separated from their families. We must address these inhumane and racist policies that consistently work against immigrants, specifically immigrants of color.

Equitable Healthcare

This program will bring attention to different dimensions of healthcare, including but not limited to: public health disparities, mental health opportunities, lack of health products and resources, healthcare coverage, the distrust of health professionals, and the need for people of color as healthcare industry providers to reflect the communities that they serve. Equitable healthcare for all is essential in today’s society. The lack of health initiatives designed to benefit marginalized groups leaves underserved communities at risk. It is vital for the coalition to focus on a program that brings solutions, education, and resources to the issue of health disparities.

Underserved Youth

For the entirety of America’s history, youth and adolescents of color have been restricted, discriminated against, and not afforded the same opportunities as their white counterparts. Technology deserts, inadequate educational materials, the lack of mentors, the absence of transportation, unfair representation through media are just a few signs of systemic racism as it pertains to youth of color. The list goes on and on, and there are unjust issues facing black youth today. Our society intentionally and systematically keeps children of color down through unequal care, barriers to educational attainment, and more. When you combine these systemic disadvantages with continual racial profiling, stereotyping, and sorting, we see clearly that children of color are faced with daily acts of hardship that cause unequal poverty, stress, fear, suicide, depression, and more. Their futures continue to be in jeopardy. If children of color are unable to break free from these systems designed for their failure, then they are unable to grow into successful adults – a cycle that allows the current white population in power to maintain power and status. We must break this cycle. We must empower, promote, and support children of color by identifying and dismantling racist systems and procedures.

This is an extraordinary moment in our history. All at once, we are grappling with a devastating pandemic, economic shock, and social upheaval and targeted hate, especially in our Asian communities. This is a moment that has challenged all of us to think and act differently. In the center of all of this, the tragic killing of George Floyd has sparked the expression of decades of collective anger and frustration over the unacceptable abuse of power and authority. This pain is felt across our communities and our workplace, which we often see as our second home.

There is no doubt in our mind that the weight of these disastrous events disproportionately impacts the black community and other communities of color. There are no easy answers. At the National Diversity Council, we understand this is our moment to lead from the front and fully commit to creating the fair and inclusive society that every single person in our nation deserves.

The National Diversity Council and our 350+ partners are committed to diversity and inclusive leadership. We begin this initiative with the launch of the Coalition for Racial Justice & Equity. Building on our commitment, we set the pace to stop asking “why” and start showing “how.” We call on every organization’s CEO to join us in this moment. We must decide what we can and will do to drive meaningful, deliberate change. There is no place for ambiguity or sitting on the sideline. Our long-term goal through this Coalition will be to inspire and commit ourselves to be the model nation for inclusion in the world.

We are made up of extraordinary people of every race, all worthy of the same dignity and respect. We view our differences as one of our greatest strengths. We will set forward to convene a number of social justice, legal, and corporate entities to formulate a long-term visible plan for addressing systemic inequality — inequality in education, health, economic opportunity and public safety, among others. Angeles and I call on all of you to join us. As it is clear to us, we cannot wait. We should not wait. Collectively, we must all be the answer to this change.

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