“The most profound level of racism is unintentionally embedded
in public policies and institutional practices that routinely
widen opportunities for whites while closing opportunities
for people of color and American Indians.”
—2009 Minnesota Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity,
Organizing Apprenticeship Project, February 2010

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.