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■ In our survey, the most popular strategy in all three counties involves educating the public in a variety of institutional settings about diversity, power and privilege, stereotypes and the more subtle forms of racism. The second most popnlar strategy across the three counties involves increasing contact between diverse groups through regular large community events wheze Whites and minority grougs can engage in common social activities. Residents of the three caunties are least enthusiastic about strategies having to do with systems change, such as to "pressure governmental of#"icials and legislators to set policies and practices that will create a more equal society." ■ In our coznmunity conversations, groups of ali races emphasized individual-level changes, such as modeling accountability, being pro-active, taking social justice action as individuals, and buifding acceptance for all raciai groups. They also discussed community-level changes, such as improving relations across racial and ethnic communities tk�rough dialogue, collaboration, and engaging families in neighborhoods. Less often, community conversations discussed ebanging all sorts of institutions, including housing, business and workplaces, police and courts, government, schools, churches, media, and health care. ■ Key informants more often emphasized institutional issues and institutional solutions. Research team recommendations The reseairch team of Wilder Research Center and Roy Willcins Center recommends three broad strategies for eradicating racism in St. Paul and the surrounding communities in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washingtan counties. 1. Encourage and support efforis to bring diverse people together in order to improve mutuaI understanding, acceptance, and respect among ali racial groups. Faith cornmunities shoUld take a leadership role. 2. Address racism at the individual level by identifying and connznunicafiing through inedia campaigns ways that all zacial �roups benefit from and share a mutual self- interest in improved race relations. White community and business leaders may be it� the best position to influence improvements in race relations. 3. Ac�dress racism at the institutional level in workplaces and schools by prvviding holistic models of inciusion and incentives for changing institutional behavior. An assessment of racism in 9 Junerary 2004 Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties