2004_Human Rights Comm Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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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 popular strategy across the three counties involves increasing contact between diverse groups through regular large community events where Whites and minority groups can engage in common social activities. Residents of the three counties are least enthusiastic about strategies having to do with systems change, such as to "pressure governmental officials and legislators to set policies and practices that will create a more equal society." . In our community conversations, groups of all races emphasized individual-level changes, such as modeling accountability, being pro-active, taking social justice action as individuals, and building acceptance for all racial groups. They also discussed community-level changes, such as improving relations across racial and ethnic communities through dialogue, collaboration, and engaging families in neighborhoods. Less often, community conversations discussed changing 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 research team of Wilder Research Center and Roy Wilkins Center recommends three broad strategies for eradicating racism in St. Paul and the surrounding communities in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties. 1. Encourage and support efforts to bring diverse people together in order to improve mutual understanding, acceptance, and respect among all racial groups. Faith communities should take a leadership role. 2. Address racism at the individual level by identifYing and communicating through media campaigns ways that all racial groups benefit from and share a mutual self- interest in improved race relations. White community and business leaders may be in the best position to influence improvements in race relations. 3. Address racism at the institutional level in workplaces and schools by providing holistic models of inclusion and incentives for changing institutional behavior. An assessment of racism in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties 9 January 2004 ( ( (