This document discusses strategies for reclaiming government as a tool for racial justice. It argues that government has both exacerbated inequities and advanced justice and equity. It acknowledges the historical and structural racism embedded in public systems. The document outlines several strategies, including critiquing public systems constructively while upholding their purpose, avoiding "otherizing" language, unpacking interconnected systems of inequity, widening the circle of concern, and focusing on places rather than individual groups. The goal is to engage communities in rebuilding government for the common good.
Promoting the Role of Government in Child Well-BeingPublicWorks
As Americans, we eagerly support and cherish our own children. However, progress on improving conditions for all our nation’s children has stalled in many arenas.
Children’s advocates know what needs to be done. The science and the policy knowledge have advanced.
But, public will and action lag behind.
Social Awareness: a shared responsibility of Media & CommunityMartin Andanar
The speech was delivered by Martin Andanar at the 9th Comguild Mass Communications Conference at the AFP Theater, Quezon City, Philippines.
By Martin Andanar, Head of News5 Everywhere
What is a society and how did it emerged? Basically, it is associated with the increase in population that occurred around 10 000 years ago, that had some psychological and organizational impacts.
A presentation by Peter Laurie, author and former Ambassador of Barbados to the USA at a September 21 seminar in Barbados, a follow-up to the September 12-13 AEC Justice and Peace Seminar.
Promoting the Role of Government in Child Well-BeingPublicWorks
As Americans, we eagerly support and cherish our own children. However, progress on improving conditions for all our nation’s children has stalled in many arenas.
Children’s advocates know what needs to be done. The science and the policy knowledge have advanced.
But, public will and action lag behind.
Social Awareness: a shared responsibility of Media & CommunityMartin Andanar
The speech was delivered by Martin Andanar at the 9th Comguild Mass Communications Conference at the AFP Theater, Quezon City, Philippines.
By Martin Andanar, Head of News5 Everywhere
What is a society and how did it emerged? Basically, it is associated with the increase in population that occurred around 10 000 years ago, that had some psychological and organizational impacts.
A presentation by Peter Laurie, author and former Ambassador of Barbados to the USA at a September 21 seminar in Barbados, a follow-up to the September 12-13 AEC Justice and Peace Seminar.
Presentation at the Alleviating Poverty through Entreprenuership Summit on February 5, 2010 sponsored by the Fisher School of Business at The Ohio State Universty
Christianity and Social Justice: exploring the meaning of welfare reformCitizen Network
This presentation was given to the Archbishop of York and to bishops from the North East of England and Yorkshire. It explores the current crisis in the welfare state in the UK, the myths that dominate thinking and outlines the Christian case for some new and deeper thinking about the purpose and design of the welfare state.
Part 1 deep dive; the future role of civil societyKarel Eramuri
Deep Dive; The Future Role of Civil Society
1. The Recent Evolution Of Civil Society
2. Defining Civil Society
3. Shifting Civil Society Roles and Relationships
This talk was given as part of the DD Network day, in June 2017, exploring the relationship between disability, citizenship and wider social movements to advance a richer and more welcoming community life.
The concept of citizenship tends to be seen as inclusive. Today, more and more emphasis is placed on education for citizenship and is a major part of the curriculum. However, different theories of citizenship conceive it in different ways. Different tiers of citizenship are created according to the extent to which a person is said to belong. In some states, citizenship is conferred according to birth (jus soli) whereas in others it is a question of inheritance (jus sanguinus). However, even if someone is nominally a full citizen, they can be excluded in different ways, for example, due to their sex, ethnicity, or class status. This week we will examine the concept of citizenship and look at who is included, and who is excluded by it. We will pay particular attention to the ways in which class and socioeconomic deprivation have an effect on the ability to be a full citizen by examining the role of education, the Welfare State, and political participation.
Introduction to Community Organizing for Occupy MidwestTom Tresser
This introduction to community organizing was created by Tom Tresser for the Occupy Midwest convention. More resources on organizing at http://tinyurl.com/OrganizingResources
Improving Civic Intelligence: Repairing the Engine on a Moving Car?Douglas Schuler
These are the slides from my keynote presentation at the recent Conference, Electronic Governance and Open Society: Challenges in Eurasia (EGOSE 2014), in St. Petersburg, Russia. Bottom line: There is a LOT to be done — and government, e- or not, can't do it without citizens.
Presentation at the Alleviating Poverty through Entreprenuership Summit on February 5, 2010 sponsored by the Fisher School of Business at The Ohio State Universty
Christianity and Social Justice: exploring the meaning of welfare reformCitizen Network
This presentation was given to the Archbishop of York and to bishops from the North East of England and Yorkshire. It explores the current crisis in the welfare state in the UK, the myths that dominate thinking and outlines the Christian case for some new and deeper thinking about the purpose and design of the welfare state.
Part 1 deep dive; the future role of civil societyKarel Eramuri
Deep Dive; The Future Role of Civil Society
1. The Recent Evolution Of Civil Society
2. Defining Civil Society
3. Shifting Civil Society Roles and Relationships
This talk was given as part of the DD Network day, in June 2017, exploring the relationship between disability, citizenship and wider social movements to advance a richer and more welcoming community life.
The concept of citizenship tends to be seen as inclusive. Today, more and more emphasis is placed on education for citizenship and is a major part of the curriculum. However, different theories of citizenship conceive it in different ways. Different tiers of citizenship are created according to the extent to which a person is said to belong. In some states, citizenship is conferred according to birth (jus soli) whereas in others it is a question of inheritance (jus sanguinus). However, even if someone is nominally a full citizen, they can be excluded in different ways, for example, due to their sex, ethnicity, or class status. This week we will examine the concept of citizenship and look at who is included, and who is excluded by it. We will pay particular attention to the ways in which class and socioeconomic deprivation have an effect on the ability to be a full citizen by examining the role of education, the Welfare State, and political participation.
Introduction to Community Organizing for Occupy MidwestTom Tresser
This introduction to community organizing was created by Tom Tresser for the Occupy Midwest convention. More resources on organizing at http://tinyurl.com/OrganizingResources
Improving Civic Intelligence: Repairing the Engine on a Moving Car?Douglas Schuler
These are the slides from my keynote presentation at the recent Conference, Electronic Governance and Open Society: Challenges in Eurasia (EGOSE 2014), in St. Petersburg, Russia. Bottom line: There is a LOT to be done — and government, e- or not, can't do it without citizens.
In a day long workshop at Bromley-by-Bow Centre Simon Duffy worked with a range of community activists to explore whether a pro-community welfare state was possible - and if so under what conditions. Lively discussions and important ideas emerged - although we may have to do a little more work before declaring success. Thanks to Power to Change for supporting this event.
Sound Public Policies. Political economic digest series - 7Akash Shrestha
In this series, we’ll be discussing about the principles of of sound public policies and their role in economic progress.
Public policy can be generally defined as the course of action or inaction taken by governmental entities (the decisions of government) with regard to a particular issue or set of issues.
Public policies determine to a large extent how a country or an economy functions. In context of Nepal,
we keep hearing either how bad policies are ruining our country or that even though our policies are
good, it is the lack of proper implementation that’s hampering our progress. Included in the readings is
an article entitled “7 principles of sound public policy” and as well as a satirical article on how to achieve poverty. We hope after this series, you will be able to analyze the policies of our government and their implication of our economic growth.
· Does the Right to Free Speech Extend to CorporationsThis week.docxoswald1horne84988
· Does the Right to Free Speech Extend to Corporations?
This week, we studied how, under the Supreme Court ruling of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, corporations are afforded free speech. For your essay this week, make a case for or against the constitutionality of not allowing a corporation to promote one political candidate over another (for example, through campaign funding, advertising, compelling votes from employees, etc.). As part of the assignment, use your position on constitutional interpretation and show how that school of thought informs your position.
In addition to the arguments on corporations and free speech in the text book, use at least one additional outside source. Use one source from the textbook pages provided in the attachments labeled ‘Textbook Pages’ and one from another source from the internet. Your paper needs to be a minimum of 500 words in length and follow APA style guidelines. You may not use Wikipedia as a source. Below is the textbook source information:
TITLE: TAKING SIDES: CLASHING VIEWS ON POLITICAL ISSUES 19TH EDITION
AUTHOR: WILLIAM J. MILLER
Unit 3.6 (pgs. 166-177)
ISBN: 978-1-259-34270-7
PUBLISHER: MCGRAW-HILL EDUCATION
LAVC
/
Soc
/
Raskoff
Knowledge
of
the
Hidden
Rules
of
Social
Class:
A
Questionnaire
Assignment:
For
each
of
the
three
questionnaires
below,
place
a
check
mark
in
front
of
each
item
that
you
definitely
know
how
to
do-‐-‐
right
now,
today,
at
this
very
minute.
Be
honest.
If
you
are
the
least
bit
unsure,
do
not
check
the
item.
(If
you
don’t
have
children,
use
yourself
and
your
siblings
as
a
reference
group.)
List
#1
_____1.
I
know
which
churches
and
sections
of
town
have
the
best
rummage
sales.
_____2.
I
know
where
the
nearest
food
bank
is
and
when
it
is
open.
_____3.
I
know
which
grocery
stores’
garbage
bins
can
be
accessed
for
thrown-‐away
food.
_____4.
I
know
how
to
get
someone
out
of
jail.
_____5.
I
know
how
to
physically
fight
and
can
defend
myself
if
necessary.
_____6.
I
know
how
a
person
can
get
a
gun
even
if
they
have
a
police
record.
_____7.
I
know
how
to
keep
my
clothes
from
being
stolen
at
the
Laundromat.
_____8.
I
know
what
problems
to
look
for
in
a
used
car.
_____9.
I
know
how
to
live
without
a
checking
account.
_____10.
I
know
how
to
get
by
without
electricity
and
without
a
phone.
_____11.
I
know
how.
Dr Simon Duffy gave this talk at a City of Birmingham Think Tank event on 15th June 2016. This talk explores the reasons for the attacks on the welfare state and how the design of the welfare state could be changed to advance citizenship for all.
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
2. By the People, For the People,
……Of the People
Our country’s founding principles speak of equal
treatment under the law and access to freedom
and opportunity for all.
2
3. A Winding Road
Our nation has
Post Racial? Color Blind?
struggled to live up to its
ideals. Throughout our The end of “Big Government”
history, government
Immigration and Nationality Act
itself has sometimes
exacerbated inequities
The Civil Rights Era
in our society and has
also been an important
lever of change, a
The New Deal
protector of
Jim Crow
fundamental rights and
a provider of tools for
Reconstruction
opportunity and
Emancipation
advancement.
Trail of Tears
4. At Public Works, we are working to
understand how we . . .
• Recognize the historical and structural racism that has been imbedded in
public systems and continues to exacerbate inequities, but also realize
that it is through government that our most important strides towards
justice and equity have been realized;
• Understand that some anti-government sentiment is directly tied up in
racial bias, both implicit and explicit;
• Find a way to uphold (at least aspirationally) the need for
robust, supported and correctly-focused public systems as tools for
shared prosperity and racial equity;
• Engage communities of color in the effort to reclaim and rebuild
government . . .
. . . while also engaging
all Americans in these questions?
4
5. Government can
be a tool for racial
justice or
injustice.
How do we
reclaim it for the
common good?
6. Strategies for reclaiming our
government as a tool for racial justice
•
Critique without
Undermining
•
•
Avoid “Otherizing”
•
Widen the Circle of
Concern
•
Connect Equity and
Interdependence
•
Places not Faces
Unpack Systems of
Inequity
7
7. Critiquing our government without
undermining it
• Many may believe that the primary task
is to call out and critique all the ways
government is failing to advance equity
and justice. We believe a different
approach is necessary.
• We don’t want to make excuses for
government when it fails to live up to
its ideals.
• Instead, we want to articulate and
support what those ideals are and
should be, while highlighting what
needs to change to make it successful.
7
8. As this example shows, our typical critiques often
cue up damaging stereotypes about government …
Once again the actions of our city housing
department show that it’s all about who you know
if you want to get anything done. If you don’t have
big money and political clout you can’t get any
response out of that bureaucratic mess of an
agency. As always our working-class communities
of color are just overlooked. But we are taxpayers
too! We paid our share into the city coffers and we
should be getting some attention and services in
return.
8
9. As this example shows, our typical critiques often
cue up damaging stereotypes about government …
Once again the actions of our city housing
department show that it’s all about who you know
if you want to get anything done. If you don’t have
big money and political clout you can’t get any
response out of that bureaucratic mess of an
agency. As always our working-class communities
of color are just overlooked. But we are taxpayers
too! We paid our share into the city coffers and we
should be getting some attention and services in
return.
Just Politics
Consumer-Thinking
The Bureaucratic Blob
9
10. A Formula for Constructive Criticism
1.
2.
3.
4.
Open the critique by focusing
on the public mission and
purpose that is at stake.
Explain how these public
systems can and should
benefit us all and be part of
the solution.
Critique by explaining how
the public system is not living
up to its core purpose.
End with the action we need
to take together to address
the failing/problem.
10
11. An Example of Constructive Criticism
One of the most important jobs of our city
government is to help create clean and safe
neighborhoods where residents can live, work and
play. Unfortunately, our housing department is not
living up to that essential responsibility and
neighborhoods are not prioritized equitably. This
system needs to address the inequities that are
impacting our communities of color in order for our
whole city to thrive. It is time for all of us to work
together to get this public agency back on track and
focused on community needs.
11
12. An Example of Constructive Criticism
One of the most important jobs of our city
government is to help create clean and safe
neighborhoods where residents can live, work and
play. Unfortunately, our housing department is not
living up to that essential responsibility and
neighborhoods are not prioritized equitably. This
system needs to address the inequities that are
impacting our communities of color in order for our
whole city to thrive. It is time for all of us to work
together to get this public agency back on track and
focused on community needs.
Mission and Purpose –
Why it Matters
Civic Thinking
Critique
12
13. Be Cautious about “Otherizing”
We “otherize” whenever we label people by their temporary situations or class
status, when we refer only to the ‘beneficiaries’ of public programs rather than
highlighting how public systems benefit all of us, and when we characterize
each other as being somehow an “other” -- outside of the rest of society..
For example, we need to
be cautious about using
terms like “vulnerable
families,” “disadvantaged
minorities,” “blighted
neighborhoods,” or “at-risk
youth.”
13
14. “Otherizing” triggers notions of
Separate Fates and Consequences
• Allows people to place the concerns of otherized
groups “over there” and not connected to our entire
community;
• Makes it much harder to make the connection
between opportunities and structural factors;;
• Prevents people from seeing why a problem matters
to us all and we all are part of the solution; and
• Allows people to see our government as benefitting
‘other’ people and not all of ‘us.’
14
15. Defining situations not people
A strategy for overcoming a tendency to otherize is to ensure
that our communications answer the following questions:
• What are the barriers to opportunity for residents, community
members?
• What are the systemic causes of this situation?
• How has this impacted overall well-being and community
resiliency and strength?
• What is the systemic call to action we all must take?
15
17. We need to help people to see the many systems at
play and how they are connected.
For example, the neighborhood you live in is
connected to the barriers and/or opportunities you
have in education, which is connected to the barriers
and/or opportunities you have in employment
opportunities, which is connected to access to
healthcare, and so on.
As Anat Shenker-Osorio explains,
“When we stick merely to describing how things are
and leave open the question of how they came to
be, we’re leaving room for folks who benefit greatly
from inequality to narrate why it exists.”
18. Robust, supported
and correctlyfocused public
systems can and have
been used for shared
prosperity and racial
equity. Part of the
solution moving
forward is to uphold
and reclaim a tool we
already have – our
government.
18
19. We can widen the
Circle of Concern
and acknowledge the value of a
sense of belongingness
We need to ask ourselves who
we are leaving out and why?
Are we communicating in
ways that shrinks – rather
than widens– the circle of
concern?
20. “Winning in the long term, though, requires getting
people to think of the "other" as being inside their
circles. That is entirely possible to do, as the
abolition, civil rights, feminist, sexual liberation and
many other movements have proven. But it takes a
complement of cultural interventions alongside the
political ones, advanced over five, 10, even 30 years. The
cultural project has to establish the
stories, images, and archetypes that prime a person
to expand rather than shrink the circle of concern.
That project requires us to deal with how race is lived in
America, not just how it is legislated. How do we widen
the circle of concern? Foster interdependence – a
shared fate?”
21. Articulate “Everyone-ness”
• Use inclusive language – “us,”
“we,” “our,” the systems “we”
built.”
• Describe a community’s
situation as temporary rather
than a permanent state of
being.
• Explain how the problem
matters to everyone so they
can see themselves in the
solution.
21
22. Build a Case for
Equity and Interdependence
• Assert that the reduction of inequities is
mutually beneficial for all members of society.
• Help audiences move from an understanding of
separate and competing fates to shared fate.
• Nest discussions about equity in a story about
“community” goals.
• Use “our” public tools to build community and
reduce inequity.
22
23. Places not Faces
We can expand the circle of concern by comparing the inequities
between communities rather than just individuals or selected
groups, and the systems that cause those inequities. For example, it is
common to highlight the stark differences in the unemployment rates
for specific racial groups with little attention to the lack of public
infrastructure and opportunity in particular communities. Shifting
from Faces to Places can help contextualize the challenges the
community is facing.
24. Replace Faces…...… …..with Places
Unemployment rates in Michigan for
the two largest communities of
color, African Americans and
Hispanics, have been
disproportionately higher, sometimes
double, in comparison to their white
counterparts for at least the last 10
years. In 2011, African Americans had
an unemployment rate of
20.1%, Hispanics of 10.7%, and whites
of 8.9% . Michigan currently ranks 2nd
highest in African American
unemployment among the 50 states.
For our communities to thrive and
succeed, we need ample job
opportunities in Michigan that allow
our children and families to have the
quality of life we all deserve. This has
not been the case for many years in
Michigan. In some cities, for every job
opening there are 10 people seeking
employment. This makes it difficult
for our communities to prosper and
unevenly impacts our communities
of color. We can do better by making
sure that we create more jobs in the
places that need it the most.
24
25. To rebuild support for an active governmental role in
creating opportunities and reducing inequities, we must:
• Values: Reclaim the notion of
government as a tool for
racial justice
• Systems- Thinking: Lift up
the systems that benefit all of
us and the need to invest in
them equitably
• Interdependence: Reinforce
our shared fate and how
improved equity benefits all
of us.
25
26. “When Americans accept their differences in a
context of certain shared principles and
values, the myriad cultures present and
emerging here become wellsprings of
spiritual strength and social justice in a
great, transnational experiment. A more
multicultural America offers an exciting
opportunity to extend freedom and
democracy to people who haven't had it
before and to enrich it for those who have.”
- Jim Sleeper
27. For more information about talking about the intersection of race and
the role of government, we encourage you to visit www.publicworks.org.
Editor's Notes
Slide Narrative: We can articulate the situations, what has caused them, the implications and what needs to be done. This provides context and a systems lens to our issues versus the labeling of individuals by assuming ‘defined’ characteristics. *Fairness between places*Places not faces
Mk: does this work?SLIDE Narrative: (works best if participants have seen the systems slide)If we are seeking equitable publicly-supported systems, we need to understand the many systems at play and how they are connected to one another. For example, the neighborhood you live in is connected to the barriers and/or opportunities you have in education, which is connected to the barriers and/or opportunities you have in employment opportunities, which is connected to access to healthcare, and so on. Quote from Anat Shenker-Osorio: “When we stick merely to describing how things are and leave open the question of how they came to be, we’re leaving room for folks who benefit greatly from inequality to narrate why it exists.”
SLIDE Narrative: (works best if participants have seen the systems slide)If we are seeking equitable publicly-supported systems, we need to understand the many systems at play and how they are connected to one another. For example, the neighborhood you live in is connected to the barriers and/or opportunities you have in education, which is connected to the barriers and/or opportunities you have in employment opportunities, which is connected to access to healthcare, and so on. Quote from AnatShenker-Osorio: “When we stick merely to describing how things are and leave open the question of how they came to be, we’re leaving room for folks who benefit greatly from inequality to narrate why it exists.”
SLIDE Narrative: There has been some great thinking and writing done by john powell and reinforced by RinkuSen about the idea of ‘the circle of concern’– and the value of belongingness. That is, who we are leaving out and why? This leads us to ask, how do we widen our circle of concern? – in which ways are we communicating that shrinks the circle of concern rather than expand it? In our findings, we’ve also noticed deep philosophical challenges and the depth of this notion of separate fates in American culture – there is compelling research on how individualizing fairness can trigger stereotypes and ideas of who we believe to be deserving and what is subjectively deemed as fair.
This quote from ARC president, Rinku Sen is illustrative of the implications of otherizing and short-term efforts to build support for specific policy proposals that in fact hurt our longer term vision of widening the circle of concern and our expanding our definition of “we”.
One of the ways we can expand the circle of concern is to compare the inequities between the public systems and opportunities available in communities rather than individual outcomes based on race. For example, it is common to state the unemployment rate of members of the community by race rather than highlighting the lack of public infrastructure and opportunity in a community – focusing on the places and not the faces. This gives the public and readers context to the challenges communities are facing by providing a landscape rather than portrait view (referring to panel) of the issues at hand and the public systems needed to ensure a quality of life.
SLIDE Narrative: This is a work in progress and we will continue to grapple with it – and we really appreciate working with you all and hearing your thoughts. We think this quote is illustrative of our vision for our country, and how the problems we face as a society undermine this vision and our possibilities as a community.