Most of us would acknowledge that racism is a fact of life in our society, although we might disagree on the extent and types of racist behavior we observe or experience. Most people think of racism as intentional and overt acts between individuals. But the most profound forms of racism are institutional rather than interpersonal.
A common misconception is that racism can only occur between people of different races. But when specific groups are systematically disadvantaged or disenfranchised by organizational policies and practices it is evidence of institutional racism.
Institutional racism is frequently subtle, unintentional and invisible, but always potent. Often, institutional racism involves complex and cumulative factors; for example, when minorities do not have access to positions of power, influence or authority in our community.
When laws, government policies, or social customs have the effect of advantaging or disadvantaging certain racial or ethnic groups, or when funds and resources are distributed unequally, institutional racism is at work. When racial, ethnic and other disparities go unaddressed, this too is a form of institutional racism.
The best way to measure institutional racism is to look at impacts rather than intentions. The effects of many governmental and community social or economic policies can be gauged by statistical outcomes, as long as the numbers used reflect race, ethnicity and other relevant minority categories.
So what should we do? Institutional racism can be difficult enough to identify and even more challenging to overcome.
First, we must take an active leadership role in addressing racism. Understandably, many people are afraid to talk about this openly. But the alternative – not talking about it at all – has even more pernicious effects. At all levels we must all be willing to accept our responsibility for institutional racial inequities that may exist in our community. The Snohomish County Executive’s Community Council was the perfect opportunity to begin addressing these issues.
Secondly, let’s find out what’s really going on. According to the recent census, Snohomish County has experienced one of the highest rates of racial and ethnic diversity in Washington over the past 10 years. We’re now halfway through the decade and we must seriously ask ourselves, “Do our business, political, civic and social institutions reflect this diversity?” And if not, why not? What efforts have we made to really understand these circumstances?
Third, consider equity of outcome when developing and implementing community policies and programs. The county executive’s proposed efforts to address economic and social issues through his Citizens Cabinet and Community Council are prime examples of how Snohomish County government might have led a comprehensive effort to address institutional racism in Snohomish County. Unfortunately, the Citizens Cabinet and county executive “pledg(ed) to workquickly to enact specific recommendations” regarding economic development. The Community Council, on the other hand, was unilaterally suspended by the executive when he determined that the council “did not experience the same level of commitment” as his Citizens Cabinet.
It appears to me that suspending the Community Council, after it was charged to initiate “a dialogue on such issues as economic opportunities, violence and domestic abuse, race relations/diversity and housing,” can be seen as an act of institutional racism.
Fourth, support accountability that rejects “politically correct” rhetoric along with expedient excuses about this “not being the right time.” We need our own locally developed standards and measures for assessing our own performance. The Community Council would have been the perfect group to initiate public accountability and involvement in this effort.
Fifth, involve the entire community in our efforts to increase opportunities for economic, political and civic equity in Snohomish County. Everyone can play an important role in providing input, insight and support. The challenge for us as leaders is to find ways to engage as many people as possible in pursing real solutions – many of which are already known – that can result in a significant level of social, political and economic involvement for everyone. Regrettably, the county executive and his Citizens Cabinet’s singular focus on economic development failed to involve communities of color and low-income groups in their work. By working with this segment of Snohomish County they could have begun to identify ways to overcome the historical bias inherent with institutional racism.
None of these proposals are cure-all solutions, but these and others yet to be suggested could yield immediate and long-term substantial benefits if we take them seriously. It is not the solutions that are lacking. It is only the political will and public commitment that is needed to ensure that Snohomish County realizes its full potential from the diversity we now enjoy.
Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon must immediately engage in open and public dialogue with our communities of color to ensure their involvement in undoing institutional racism.
Luis Moscoso lives in Mountlake Terrace and is active in Snohomish County human rights and political issues.
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