2013

Structural Racism and Long Island

What is “RACE”?

Race is a social construct.

Long Island Community Fund - ERASE Racism

Racism is like an Iceberg…

Pseudo-ScientificRace Theories

Unequal Access to

Resources and Power

White Privilege

Blame the Victim

“Color Blind”Policies

De Facto Segregation

Hate Crimes

Harassment

Illegal Discrimination

ERASE Racism

Personal Prejudice

•Stereotypes

•Attitudes

Institutional & Structural Racism•Racial prejudice plus institutional and systemic power

•Historical advantage and disadvantage

•Current policies and institutional norms

•Unresponsive government & institutions

•Racial segregation and discrimination

Chronic Racial Disparities

Differences…•Treatment•Services•Opportunities•Access•Outcomes

Lack of Fair Housing EnforcementProduces

Government FragmentationEnsures

Unequal EducationContributes to

Residential SegregationSupported by

Economic InequitiesFuels

Concentrated PovertyKept in place by

Long Island Racial Segregation Long Island Racial Segregation Example of Structural RacismExample of Structural Racism

Structural Racism on Long Island

Racial Composition of LI 2000-2010

Racial segregation remains extremely high

Percent White

Percent White

Segregation over the past 3 decades has not improved between whites and non-whites

Values above this line are considered extremely

segregated

Complete Integration

Complete Segregation

Racial Isolation

1. In 2010 the average black resident lived in a neighborhood that was THREE AND A HALF times as black as the region

2. In 2010 the average Hispanic lived in a neighborhood that was TWICE as Hispanic as the region.

Segregation by race is more severe than segregation by income

Values above this line are considered extremely

segregated

Percentage of each racial group that attend the lowest performing school districts

Based on graduation ratesDO NOT DISTRIBUTE

Access to Highest Performing School Districts

Based on graduation ratesDO NOT DISTRIBUTE

Racially segregated neighborhoods and disparities in access to high-need and low-need schools

Opportunities & Barriers

StructuralBarriers & Opportunities

InstitutionalBarriers & Opportunities

Individual Agency/Responsibility

Unraveling Institutional and Structural Racism is Hard Work•Lack common language & shared knowledge base

•Lack candid conversations & space to have them

•Believe inequities are tied to intentional, individually-generated actions

•Believe in continual linear improvement

•We have different starting points:▫Racial gap in perception of racism▫Responsibility for outcomes (individual & collective

responsibility)

V. Elaine Gross, MSW, President6800 Jericho Turnpike,

Suite 109WSyosset, NY 11791-4401www.eraseracismny.org

elaine@eraseracismny.orgFax: 516-921-4866

Telephone: 516-921-4863