Western States Center puts together the best resources for systems change through the annual "Activists Mobilizing for Power" (AMP) conference.
Every summer, Reed College hosts more than 500 community organizers, nonprofit leaders, youth activists, government officials and grantmakers who come together to learn best practices in furthering the work toward creating just and equitable systems.
Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the "Strategies for Structural Transformation" workshop hosted by leaders of the City of Seattle's Racial and Social Justice Roundtable. A few years ago, Seattle became one of the first cities to implement and embed a "racial equity lens" in its decision-making processes. Leveraging the richness and diversity of Seattle's cultural communities, the coalition involved community groups, government agencies, as well as business and civic leadership to examine the root causes of racial disparities in accessing city services.
While disparities across underserved communities exist, Seattle's approach to lead the conversation with race was groundbreaking. According to the Race and Social Justice Inititive's Three Year-Plan, chief reasons for focusing on race include:
Leaders of the Racial and Social Justice Roundtable say that the work of transforming culture and eliminating institutional racism in the City of Seattle has only has just begun. They are off to a solid, progressive start, and their work serves as a model for all communities to emulate.
Every summer, Reed College hosts more than 500 community organizers, nonprofit leaders, youth activists, government officials and grantmakers who come together to learn best practices in furthering the work toward creating just and equitable systems.
Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the "Strategies for Structural Transformation" workshop hosted by leaders of the City of Seattle's Racial and Social Justice Roundtable. A few years ago, Seattle became one of the first cities to implement and embed a "racial equity lens" in its decision-making processes. Leveraging the richness and diversity of Seattle's cultural communities, the coalition involved community groups, government agencies, as well as business and civic leadership to examine the root causes of racial disparities in accessing city services.
While disparities across underserved communities exist, Seattle's approach to lead the conversation with race was groundbreaking. According to the Race and Social Justice Inititive's Three Year-Plan, chief reasons for focusing on race include:
- The pervasive and deep disparities faced by people of color -- disparities that cannot be explained by other factors. Addressing institutional and structural racism is essential if we are to create a just and equitable society.
- By being specific about the disparities we are targeting, we achieve more effective results. We also create conditions for broader change. Many of the same tools and skills we use to end racial inequity apply to sexism, heterosexism, ableism and other oppressions.
Leaders of the Racial and Social Justice Roundtable say that the work of transforming culture and eliminating institutional racism in the City of Seattle has only has just begun. They are off to a solid, progressive start, and their work serves as a model for all communities to emulate.
