Inequity Awakened
“Everyone has become keenly aware that there is more than one pandemic affecting U.S. lives and local economies. As the American Psychological Association has declared, ‘we are living in a racism pandemic,’ too.”
— Harvard Business Review
From Passive Awareness to Active Resistance
Inequities have always been present in our systems. Still, between the disproportionate impact of COVID on communities of color and a string of blatant, violent injustices against Black people, America is finally reckoning with racism. The murder of George Floyd and the resulting uprising have propelled many from consciousness to action. People are taking to the streets, demanding to upend racist systems, and committing to dismantle their own biases. Leaders are putting their reputations on the line as companies and municipalities respond with solidarity, vulnerability, and reforms.
Racial Justice is Here to Stay
Cities and counties across the country are declaring racism a public health crisis. Sustained media attention is examining protests as well as the racist systems, structures, and histories that underpin our current inequitable conditions. And as public support for anti-racism protests and reforms continues to grow, we believe racial justice activism is here to stay.
Moving to Anti-Racist Action
This is not to say we are doing enough as a society — far from it. As America breaks its deadly silence on racism, people of color are witnessing a mass “waking up” to systems of oppression they have faced their whole lives — which can repeat past harms. A parallel rise in counter-protests, anti-Asian xenophobia, and hate speech reminds us this work of racial justice is far from over. For those fighting for equitable futures, our challenge is to move beyond rhetoric and do the action-oriented work of anti-racism, individually and institutionally.
Signals
Signals are the evidence of this shift gaining momentum.
- Cities and Counties Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis
- ‘An Overdue Awakening’ on the Cover of Time
- LeBron James Launches a Voting Rights Group with Other Basketball Stars
- Apple Creates $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative
- 76% of Americans Call Racism and Discrimination a “Big Problem” — up 26 Points since 2015.
Thought Starters for Reflection
As we awaken consciousness, we must also name and repair past harms and address imbalances in power to create systemic and institutional change. Use these prompts to reflect on how you might use your personal agency to address systemic issues.
- How might we explore and embody racial justice within our own lives and work?
- How might we understand and dismantle our own entanglements with racist systems?
- How might we move beyond rhetoric to action?
- How might we work to be actively anti-racist?
Tell us: What does our future look like when we dismantle racist systems? How can your actions contribute to that future? Share your reflections in the comments or email us at hello@d-impact.org.
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This post continues our series about emerging shifts that can lead us to a more equitable future. These posts are adapted from our 2020 report, Pathways to the Future. You can find the complete report on our website.
