Measuring the Racial Impacts 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 and proactive reinforcement of policies, practices, attitudes and actions that produce equitable power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts and outcomes for all. Indicators: Equitable impacts and outcomes across 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 equitable solutions and engage in proactive strategies.

Requires ongoing consciousness and strategic action. 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? Whos responsible?

What do we do about it?

Different Levels of Racism

Internalized Interpersonal

Institutional

MICRO LEVEL MACRO LEVEL

Structural

Institutional Racism
Institutional racism occurs within institutions. Institutional racism is discriminatory treatment, unfair policies and practices, and inequitable opportunities and impacts, based on race. Example: A school system that concentrates people of color in the most overcrowded, under-funded schools with the least qualified teachers.

Structural Racism
Structural racism is racial bias across institutions and society. Its 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.

Dimensions of Structural Racism

1. History: cumulative impacts of roots and foundation 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.

Its All in the Eyes (Is)

Narrow View of Racism Racism is ONLY Individual bias Intentional acts Isolated incidents Immediate and obvious In the past Comprehensive View of Racism Racism is OFTEN Institutional inequity Impacts of actions Infused throughout society Invisible and insidious In the present

Changing the Focus

From: Personal Prejudice To: Institutional Inequity

From: Attitudes and Intentions To: Actions and Impacts From: Whos a Racist? To: Whats 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 and work to eliminate racial inequities?

Will the legislation increase access to public benefits and institutions for communities of color?
Does the legislation advance enfranchisement and full civic participation for all people? Will the legislation protect against racial violence, racial profiling, and discrimination? Is the legislation enforceable? Are these mechanisms in place 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 on specific legislation is its plea for greater attention to the racial impact of everything state government does. That's a message 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 Racial Equity 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 and foster racial equity and inclusion. It can be a vital tool for facilitating race-conscious analysis of proposed policies, practices or programs.

Racial Equity Impact Assessment Key Questions

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

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?

United Kingdom Model: Race Equality Duty

Establishes a general duty for public authorities:
1. to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination; 2. to promote equality of opportunity between persons 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 employment patterns and address any differences or disadvantages. and, authorities conduct a Race Equality Impact 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 you will have a low birth weight baby, die from diabetes or your children will graduate from high school or end 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 Competitiveness Center Seattle Police Department Racial Profiling Accountability 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. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Define racial inequality / racial equity Develop mechanism to study racial disparities Include an Equity Mandate Require Race Equity Strategic Plans Community engagement and capacity-building Community Education and Communication Require racially disaggregated data collection and reporting

1. Define Racial Inequality / Racial Equity

Example: The International Convention on the Elimination 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 which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms 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 to address disproportionality in child welfare; and California created a Disproportionality Task Force.

3. Adopt an Equity Mandate

Require public agencies to make it their duty to eilimiate 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 steps and timetables. The Plan development involves public 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 support community initiatives to advance equity. Example: Florida provides technical assistance to community organizations that help identify permanent families for children of color in foster care. Seattle has a Race and Social Justice Neighborhood Matching Fund Grant Program

6. Engage in Community Education and Communication

Provides opportunities for ongoing learning and communication within and across government agencies and between government and the public. 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 to inform 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, not exclusively 4. Propose solutions focused on equity and inclusion. 5. Engage and empower stakeholders. 6. Prioritize racial justice in all social justice efforts.

Applied Research Center www.arc.org

ColorLines www.colorlines.com RaceWire www.racewire.org