Closing the Racial Gaps: What’s Next?

After a day of powerful, and sometimes uncomfortable, conversations on race and equity, where do we go from here — as a collective? And as individuals?

As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, Living Cities hosted a Virtual Event for our broader network to engage in critical conversation around Closing Racial Opportunity Gaps. I had the opportunity to observe these conversations, taking a “balcony view” of the day’s event. This blog would not be possible without the help and input of my colleague, Megan McGlinchey.

Earlier today, Angela Glover Blackwell of PolicyLink encouraged us to, “not sleep through our moment in history.” Her statement rocked the room — this is our moment.

We end today reflecting on the many, powerful discussions that took place among our gathering of city government officials, private sector executives, foundation chairs, and community organizers. Some end today heavy with emotion, both hopeful and burdened. We know that race and opportunity in America is rarely an easy issue to tackle. But having these conversations are a first step. And addressing these issues beyond talk must be an imperative — not just a moral one, but an economic one — if we truly want to build a more equitable future for our country.

Today’s conversation was inclusive of a diversity of voices. Here are some reflections and take-aways from our day:

• Today’s conversations focused on who we are as people and why we do this work. What really emerged was a community of people who have the potential to effect the change we’re trying to bring about. This is our moment. Let’s not sleep through it.
• Even those who came “kicking and screaming” left grateful for the experience to talk, listen and be “re-grounded” in why they chose to do the work that they do. Sometimes, individuals come to social change work for reasons that are very personal. I, among many, am grateful that today’s participants showed a willingness to share their vulnerabilities and their aspirations.
• Not all Americans will understand racism fully. We recognize that some may never be persecuted because of the color of their skin, or the background of their family. Experiences that surface inequities, such as we had today, are important to all who work in the social change field. They help us learn how to relate to each other and develop common vocabulary.
• But we still have miles to go. The group of folks we gathered today are educated, hold privilege, and yet — on issues of race — we too often feel uncomfortable, and scared. One of our guests put it well, saying: “We can be so uncomfortable, it’s as if we were shackled ourselves and daring not to lose whatever little privilege we gained.” This is our moment, and our time to be courageous in our practice and the work we do moving forward.

We are proud to have hosted these conversations. We are hopeful that our country is making great strides on the journey to a more equitable future. That we are not sleeping through our moment in history. That we will see dramatically better results toward closing racial gaps. However, we are not at the end of the road yet. As one of our speakers noted, “it took a long time to get where we are, and it’s going to take a long time to get back. But that doesn’t mean you don’t methodically move along and keep pushing.”

So what will you do to keep moving along? How do you ensure that you are not sleeping through this moment in history? Well, I encourage you to look internally, reflect, and ask yourself: “What can I do as an individual, in my organization, and through my networks to close the racial gaps?”