“There is blatant racism in policies that
permeates the Minnesota State Legislature.”
—State Senator Mee Moua (DFL-67)

One path to understanding institutional racism in the Saint Paul-greater metropolitan area begins with the August 2002 report Racism and Metropolitan Dynamics: The Civil Rights Challenge of the 21st Century prepared by the University of Minnesota Institute on Race & Poverty, which includes recommendations related to a regional approach to policy-making around housing, transportation and economic development (jobs).

"For far too long, racial justice advocates and communities of color have been given “either-or” propositions by policymakers: affordable housing in middle-class areas or the preservation of a community; few employment opportunities or assimilation into majority White suburbs; and high achieving schools or meaningful participation in decision-making processes.

These “either-or” propositions are unacceptable. Communities of color must be able to access the full spectrum of rights and opportunities or racism will continue to reconfigure and reproduce itself."

What's a parent to do?

Taking on Institutional Racism sounds like a huge undertaking, but there are some good starting points for parents who want to be part of the solution.

At home and at school...

• Learn about the vibrant Cultural Communities that make up our social fabric and encourage diversity in your children's friendships and your relationships with their friends' parents.
  
  
• Study the various models of Cultural Competence and work to apply them in the Parent Groups and Site Councils at your children's schools.
  
  
• Listen to the concerns of parents in your school community and work to address them. (The October 2004 Embracing Diversity report produced by NEAT provides a good starting point for parent-led, school-based efforts.)
  
  
• And, perhaps most importantly, watch for those moments when you see racism happening, and hold yourself and others accountable for the ways we treat each other as meaningful participants in decision-making processes.

As an advocate for our children and our schools...

Become familiar with the work of the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability and the Organizing Apprenticeship Project.

• October 2009 - Racial Equity Impact Policies - On September 26, 2009. Twin Cities’ activists and organizers joined in discussion on racial equity impact policies, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability Organizer Rountable Series.

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Racial Equity Resource Directory - Racial equity programs and training providers serving faith communities, civic organizations, educational institutions, and anyone working to combat racism and increase cultural competence, Minnesota Compass.