Many of us have recognized the importance of deepening our understanding of racism and how to fight it. Here are some resources that we found especially helpful. If you have any questions, please email us at communications@cthealth.org.
This webpage covers several areas of racial equity and anti-racism resources. To jump to a specific section, click on the links below:
- Defining types of racism and roots of racism in American history
- White privilege and whiteness
- Racism and health
- How can we take action?
- More resources
Defining types of racism and roots in American history
Types of Racial Inequity, Race and Social Justice Initiative
Racism is often thought of as individual acts of bias, but that’s not the full picture. Racism also exists in institutional and structural forms. This one-pager offers a primer on each one.
7 Ways We Know Systemic Racism is Real, Ben & Jerry’s
Racism is built into every level of society in ways that might surprise you. This brief resource provides a helpful overview.
Systemic Racism Explained, act.tv
This video tells the stories of two families that experience American life differently – and shows how systemic racism plays a role in those differences.
White privilege and whiteness
What is White Privilege, Really? Learning for Justice
Recognizing white privilege begins with truly understanding the term itself. This resource offers a broad understanding of white privilege, its relationship to racism, and how the concept has changed over time.
Whiteness, National Museum of African American History & Culture
Discussions of race and racism often focus on people of color, but it’s important to also recognize and understand the role of whiteness and the ways that the white racial identity has created a culture in the U.S. that treats nonwhite people as inferior. This webpage provides videos and discussion questions for learning about these concepts.
Racism and health
How Racism Makes Us Sick, David R. Williams
Why does race matter so profoundly for health? Dr. David R. Williams explains how factors like implicit bias, residential segregation, and negative stereotypes create and sustain inequality, and how this can influence people’s health.
Systemic And Structural Racism: Definitions, Examples, Health Damages, And Approaches To Dismantling, Health Affairs
This article defines systemic and structural racism, using examples such as residential segregation and environmental injustice; explains how they damage health through many causal pathways; and suggests approaches to dismantling them.
Why doesn’t the United States have universal health care? The answer has everything to do with race, The New York Times
Although the creation of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act have helped reduce racial health disparities, the gaps have not been eliminated. The debate over universal health care dates as far back as the late 1800s, rooted in ambivalent feelings about race in a post-Civil War era. Learn more about the history of race and health care in this essay from The New York Times’ 1619 Project.
How can we take action?
Policy and decision-making
Racial Equity Impact Assessment, Race Forward
A racial equity impact assessment (REIA) is way to intentionally examine how different racial and ethnic groups will likely be affected by a proposed action or decision. REIAs can be used to identify and minimize unanticipated adverse consequences in a variety of contexts, including proposed policies, institutional practices, programs, plans, and budgetary decisions.
Targeted Universalism, Othering and Belonging Institute
Some policy solutions use a one-size-fits all approach. Some only focus on specific groups. Targeted universalism is a third framework that does both, setting outcomes for everyone while using targeted approaches to reach specific populations. Learn more about this concept in this short video.
Philanthropy and grantmaking
Mismatched: Philanthropy’s Response to the Call for Racial Justice, Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity
This report is a comprehensive assessment of racial equity and racial justice funding from 2015 – 2018 and some of the “mismatches” within the field. It provides recommendations for philanthropic organizations that are committed to funding racial equity and racial justice.
(This resource requires users to enter in their email information to download the full report.)
Within your organization
Awake to Woke at Work: Building a Race Equity Culture, Equity in the Center
This is a roadmap for building a “race equity culture” within organizations. It focuses on ways in which senior leaders, data analysis, and communities can help guide organizations toward embedding race equity in all they do.
(This resource requires users to enter in their email information to download the full report.)
Continuum on Becoming an Anti-Racist Organization, Crossroads Ministry
Organizations working on improving internal processes and culture often go through a series of changes to become inclusive, multicultural organizations. This worksheet describes key points across a continuum toward becoming an organization that is both multicultural and anti-racist.
Talking about racism
Ten Lessons for Talking about Race, Racism, and Racial Justice, The Opportunity Agenda
Wondering how to have better conversations about race, racism, and racial justice? The Opportunity Agenda put together some advice on finding entry points based on research, experience, and the input of partners from around the country.
More resources
Marcus and his family: How racism shapes opportunities for Black families
This infographic tells the story of three generations of a family and how racism has shaped their lives in different ways. To dive deeper into the areas of education, housing, employment, life expectancy, debt, wealth, income, and health, check out the citations for the information behind this infographic.
Health Disparities in Connecticut: Causes, Effects, and What We Can Do
By many measures, Connecticut is one of the nation’s healthiest states. Yet a closer look at health data reveals major disparities in health by race and ethnicity. This report also provides examples of steps Connecticut can take to assure that everyone can be as healthy as possible, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
Anti-Racism Reading List
If you’re looking for some more in depth reading, here is an anti-racism reading list with recommendations from Ibram X. Kendi.