WEEK FOUR
Building a stronger community takes time and intention – it also takes dismantling the obstacles meant to exclude. It requires being proactive and interrupting the status quo by stepping away from the way we’ve always done things and being open to more diverse insights. Reflect on a visual representation of the difference between "equity" and "equality" and to ponder how we create the opportunity for everyone to thrive.
Challenge:
Watch:
Check Our Bias to Wreck Our Bias 3:00 min
Bridging Towards a Society Based on Belonging 2:07 min
Read:
Equity vs. Equality: What’s the Difference?
The Racial Equity Index: A New Data Tool to Drive Local Efforts to Dismantle Structural Racism
Importance of Intersectionality
Additional Resources (OPTIONAL):
Read:
The Planner’s Playbook: A community-centered approach to improving health & equity
Go Beyond Land Acknowledgements
Land Reparations and Indigenous Solidarity Toolkit
Equity in Action: Policymaking for Community Health
We know these topics can be uncomfortable and you have committed your time and energy during the Challenge to learn and grow. In difficult conversations, knowledge can lead to real change. We know these discussions can bring up powerful emotions, but your commitment to increasing your awareness is what will help move our community forward. Each one, teach one!
Challenge:
Watch:
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Discussing Race 11:56 min
Little Things You Can Do to Combat Racism 2:28 min
Read:
Speak Up! Responding to Everyday Bigotry
Calling In and Calling Out Guide
Additional Resources (OPTIONAL):
Watch:
The Standing Rock resistance and our fight for indigenous rights | Tara Houska 11:03 min
The Leadership Required NOW 55:58 min
Stories hold tremendous power in our world, work and lives. As writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has said: “Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.”
We often define people by the problems they face and their lack of resources and capacity to address them. A more empowering alternative is asset framing—defining people by their strengths and aspirations.
Don't forget to fill out your reflections log!
Challenge:
Watch:
The Myth of the Exceptionalist Individual 2:35 min
From invisible to visible 11:56 min
Read:
Crafting a Health Equity Centered Narrative
Equity Screen to use as you work on your next blog post, book, podcast, or video
Read and Watch:
Additional Resources (OPTIONAL):
Watch:
How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time 15 min
Power and Poverty Trailer 1:49 min / Film 48:12 min
Read:
No matter who you are, you can be an ally or accomplice to someone with a different life experience. Allies are folks who stand with someone who is confronting an obstacle – accomplices help people tear down the obstacles by taking action. As allies/accomplices, it’s important to take the lead from the person or group we are trying to assist, and to be ready to step in when they need us through deliberate action, and that may mean taking a step outside of one’s comfort zone. Rather than simply acknowledging the significance of racism an accomplice seeks to be at the forefront of elevating the voices of the most marginalized.
Challenge:
Watch:
How to be an Ally 3:31 min
Read:
Moving from Actor --> Ally --> Accomplice
Additional Resources (OPTIONAL):
Read:
Advice for white allies going through existential crises while doing DEI work
Watch and Read:
Dear Anti-Racist Allies: Here’s How To Respond To Microaggressions 4:49 min
How to Be A Better Disability Ally with Daphne Frias | I Weigh x Jameela Jamil 3:20 min
Real change will not happen overnight, but it starts with each of us individually. Learn about additional ways that you can be actively engaged in challenging and bringing about racial equity and social justice.
Challenge:
Watch:
Weave Equity Into Planning and Content 3:02 min
Loretta J. Ross: Don't call people out -- call them in 14:18 min
Read:
Talk to (your) kids about race
Six Phases of Racial Equity Practice
Anti-Racist Assessment Tool for Food Banks
Storytelling Map highlights six localities and their efforts to advance racial equity
The Racial Justice Journey Library
Additional Resources (OPTIONAL):
Read:
Exploring the Racial Equity Toolkit
Building a Movement, Transforming Institutions: A Guide for Public Health Professionals
Check out one of the additional/optional materials
Identify, support, amplify and donate to community-based organizations serving and working with Black, Indigenous, and all people of color that are engaged in racial equity and social justice issues you are passionate about.
Share your lived experiences, concerns and supports with your elected officials
Enter your address to find and contact your federal, state, county and local elected representatives.
Check out and consider joining a chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), a network of grassroot antiracist groups focused on mobilizing White people to challenge racial injustice and to support BIPOC-led organizations and movements.
What are your main takeaways from the Challenge? Where are you now compared to before you started? How do you feel? What new knowledge or insights do you have? What hopes?
Reflecting back on these weeks, select one or two prompts that really resonated with you and revisit them. Journal on why they have been highlights or piqued your interest and then think about ways to share them with friends or co-workers. What opportunities might this open up?
On behalf of CA4Health, congratulations on completing the CA4Health 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge! We're so glad you joined us on this journey and we thank you for your continuous engagement. The Challenge is one way to build collective action toward creating an equity-enriched community. We hope you continue this commitment and meaningful work.
We hope many of you join us on a Zoom meeting to hear about any successes, challenges, and reflections you might want to share about your experience with the Challenge. Be sure to complete the final survey and make some commitments for yourself on Day 21 of the Reflections Log. Bonus materials coming soon!
Wanting more? Let us know in the final survey if you’d like CA4Health to continue bringing people together for these discussions. Also, there are plenty of additional resources out there for your ongoing learning. Go HERE , HERE , HERE and HERE to continue learning.