Equity Challenge: Week 4! |
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Congratulations! You’ve made it through the Challenge’s first section on common definitions & general concepts surrounding race and racial equity.
We want to take this week to recognize and thank the creators of the original 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge. Our 21 Week Equity Challenge is adapted from the work of Debby Irving, racial justice educator and writer, and Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr., Director of the Privilege Institute in Green Bay, WI. Ms. Irving and Dr. Moore designed their challenge not only to help people better understand the issues surrounding equity and inclusion, but to do so in a way that would build a long-lasting habit of learning.
This week is a little different than previous weeks. Rather than challenging you to read, watch or listen to new resources, today is focused on reflection and deeper engagement. Please take some time to think about the previous weeks’ topics and the concepts and resources you’ve explored.
We also encourage you to take this week to think about how you’re using the Challenge to build your own equity learning habits.
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- What have you learned? Were the concepts explored so far new to you?
- How did the definitions offered differ from your previous understanding of the terms and concepts?
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What connections did you make from week to week? How do race and racial identity, privilege and stereotypes relate to one another?
The Challenge started with a definition of race as a socially constructed way of grouping people based on skin color and other apparent physical differences, which has no genetic or scientific basis. You were challenged to review materials that discussed race and racial identity.
In week two, we focused on privilege – the unearned social, political, economic, and psychological benefits of membership in a group that has institutional and structural power. You also reviewed a definition and resources about intersectionality, which is a way to understand how different identities and different forms of discrimination interact.
Last week, we explored stereotypes, which are the broad, often oversimplified assumptions made about all members of a particular group.
One final definition we’d like to share in this section is that of racism. Racism is different from racial prejudice, hatred, or discrimination. Racism involves one group having the power to carry out systematic discrimination through the institutional policies and practices of the society and by shaping the cultural beliefs and values that support those racist policies and practices (source).
In the weeks ahead, these concepts will come up again, and there will be new terms and ideas as we explore how racism manifests. Our next section will ask you to think more deeply about how race and racial identity, privilege, stereotypes, and racism impact us internally.
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Think about the previous weeks’ topics and connections you’ve made with the materials and do one of the following:
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Act:
Share a reflection or resource you found helpful for understanding these topics with your social networks. Join the conversation on social media by using #EquityChallenge.
Send a reflection or resource you found helpful for understanding these topics to us at [email protected]
Learn more about the Challenge and review weekly topics by visiting
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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.
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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."
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