Equity Challenge: Week 3!
Welcome to week 3 of the Equity Challenge! Today, we conclude our first section on definitions and general concepts. For a robust glossary of equity terms and concepts, visit the Racial Equity Tools website. 

Track your own weekly reflections using the tracking tool. Previous weeks’ topics are available on our website.

Generally, we recommend around 20 minutes to review the weekly email, consider the week’s topic, and engage with materials shared. Some weeks may have more content to choose from, and you won’t be able to get to everything. It is up to you which of the resources/challenge activities you engage with. We’ve scheduled “reflections” every few weeks so that you can look back on previous weeks’ topics and revisit the resources.
Week 3: Understanding Stereotypes
Asking yourself these questions will helpful for thinking about stereotypes:

  • What is a stereotype?
  • How have stereotypes impacted your interactions with others? Have they ever impacted how you view or treat another person? Have stereotypes ever impacted how another has viewed or treated you?
  • How can you avoid stereotyping?

Stereotype: A broad, often oversimplified assumption made about all members of a particular group (source).
 
Stereotypes are based on little information and do not recognize individualism and personal agency. They can paint people in a light that is not reflective of their actual character. Most stereotypes are negative, and even when stereotypes include seemingly “positive” generalizations about a group, they can be harmful (source).
 
Your Week 3 Challenge
With the questions and definition above in mind, do at least one of the following:
Read:

How to Beat Stereotypes by Seeing People as Individuals (8-minute read)
Zaid Jilani explains the psychology behind stereotypes and strategies for avoiding stereotyping.
 
Berens and Beyond: Here’s What It Means to Be a Wisconsinite (10-minute read)
Every state has its own personality, and its own sense of identity. This article explores Wisconsin’s stereotypes and beyond by speaking to some residents.
 
9 People Reveal a Time They Racially Stereotyped a Stranger (3-minute read)
After a string of episodes in which Black people were treated unjustly while simply going about their business, the New York Times* asked readers to tell their stories.
 
*The New York Times has offered this as a free article, but you may be asked to create an account as with the previous video links that we’ve shared. The site may prompt you to subscribe while setting up the free account, but a paid subscription is not required for these articles. If you do not wish to set up an account, you should feel free to skip these links.
Watch:

I Am Not Your Asian Stereotype (9:38)
In this funny and insightful talk, Canwen Xu shares her Asian-American story of breaking and sometimes reaffirming stereotypes. (Subtítulos en español disponibles.)

Note: for longer videos, you may save time by watching at 1.5X playback speed.
Listen:

Anger: The Black Woman's 'Superpower' (19-minute listen)
This episode of Code Switch examines the pervasiveness of the ‘angry Black woman’ stereotype and how the stereotype continues to haunt Black women.
Share your reflections or additional resources about today’s topic on social media using #EquityChallenge - or send us a note at [email protected]
 
Learn more about the Challenge and review weekly topics by visiting
Local Resources
A weekly book discussion group reading books on race and racism.

A yearlong, faith-based series of interactive and multidimensional public events. The series goal is to increase our understanding of how we think and feel about racism, resulting in actions that can help to transform us as individuals and the systems of racism in our country. 

The YWCA of SEW Wisconsin offers a variety of trainings about different facets of equity, such as structural racism, cultural differences, social transformation and more.

Higher Expectations engages community partners, aligns efforts, and maximizes resources to promote excellence and equity in education and employment outcomes in Racine County.
Make your commitment to inclusion—the active, intentional and ongoing engagement with diversity—official by signing our Declaration of Inclusion Pledge. This pledge is to respect and appreciate all aspects of any person, including race, religion, skin color, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, physical abilities, age, parental status, work and behavioral styles, and the perspectives of each individual as shaped by their nation, culture and experiences. You will also receive our quarterly diversity newsletter to build your "equity muscle."