Professor john a. powell, Haas Diversity Research Center, Director and The Robert D. Haas Chancellor’s Chair in Equity and Inclusion University of California, Berkeley Presentation for the Northwest Area Foundation August 17, 2012 Structural Racialization, Implicit Bias, and Racial Equity

What Are the Structures that Influence Our Society? EducationEconomic Housing Transportation Healthcare Justice Food Communications 2

Understanding Structures as Systems These structures are not neutral These structures are not neutral The implicit/unconscious helps to create them The implicit/unconscious helps to create them Structures are systems Structures are systems Systems are non-linear, complex, and function through feedback Systems are non-linear, complex, and function through feedback 3

Towards Systems Thinking Understanding structures as systems requires looking for patterns and relationships Understanding structures as systems requires looking for patterns and relationships Systems thinking necessitates focusing on outcomes rather than intents or inputs Systems thinking necessitates focusing on outcomes rather than intents or inputs 4

Differential Positioning in Structures 5 These structures interact in ways that produce differential outcomes We are all situated within structures but not evenly

6 Not only are people situated differently with regard to institutions, people are situated differently with regard to infrastructure People are impacted by the relationships between institutions and systems… …but people also impact these relationships and can change the structure of the system. Differential Positioning in Structures

How are women situated vis-à-vis men in the job market? How are women situated vis-à-vis men in the job market? How are people with disabilities positioned within transportation? How are people with disabilities positioned within transportation? How are undocumented immigrants positioned in the justice system? How are undocumented immigrants positioned in the justice system? Differential Positioning in Structures 7

The Circle of Human Concern Differential positioning in these structures is a way to understand who inhabits the circle of human concern as a full member and who is pushed out of it Differential positioning in these structures is a way to understand who inhabits the circle of human concern as a full member and who is pushed out of it 8

The Circle of Human Concern Non-public/non-private

Citizens Non-public/non-private Space Elderly Mothers Children Felons Undocumented The Circle of Human Concern

Contextualizing Disparities How do we understand the resulting problems? How do we understand the resulting problems? Disparities in one part of a structure are not isolated from others Disparities in one part of a structure are not isolated from others They need to be contextualized in relation to other structures, such as housing, education, employment, among others They need to be contextualized in relation to other structures, such as housing, education, employment, among others 11

Mechanisms of Marginalization There are similar mechanisms of marginalization within structures that work across social groups (women, immigrants, blacks, people with disabilities, Native Americans) There are similar mechanisms of marginalization within structures that work across social groups (women, immigrants, blacks, people with disabilities, Native Americans) However, these social groups are not uniformly positioned in structures However, these social groups are not uniformly positioned in structures 12

Differential Racialization Structural racialization is when systems and processes produce and reproduce unequal outcomes along racial lines with or without intent Structural racialization is when systems and processes produce and reproduce unequal outcomes along racial lines with or without intent It is a relational process (i.e. groups are racialized in relation to other groups) It is a relational process (i.e. groups are racialized in relation to other groups) To go beyond the “Black-White” binary, we need to look at the “field of racial positions” (Kim 1999) that includes the public representation and groups relative positioning To go beyond the “Black-White” binary, we need to look at the “field of racial positions” (Kim 1999) that includes the public representation and groups relative positioning 13

Difference & Inequality An individual’s particular “co-formation” of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, language, religion, citizenship status, able-bodiedness, and geographic location marks how they are positioned in these structures as well as in concepts and stories An individual’s particular “co-formation” of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, language, religion, citizenship status, able-bodiedness, and geographic location marks how they are positioned in these structures as well as in concepts and stories We can always refer to structural marginalizations along multiple axes of difference (i.e. structural gender marginalization) We can always refer to structural marginalizations along multiple axes of difference (i.e. structural gender marginalization) Bacchetta, Paola. 2007

Five Faces of Oppression Exploitation 2. Marginalization 3. Powerlessness 4. Cultural Dominance 5. Violence Source: Young, Iris Marion (1990). “Five Faces of Oppression,” in Justice and the Politics of Difference

Groups are differentially situated in relation to these forms of dehumanization Groups are differentially situated in relation to these forms of dehumanization A group may be high in one area, but low in another A group may be high in one area, but low in another A group’s relational positioning may also differ in different geographies A group’s relational positioning may also differ in different geographies Oppressing others through Othering and dehumanization become easier to do if done a lot Oppressing others through Othering and dehumanization become easier to do if done a lot 16 Five Faces of Oppression

Considering the Unconscious Mind 17

Back to the Future There is strong evidence that we are becoming more racially tolerant on a conscious level There is strong evidence that we are becoming more racially tolerant on a conscious level Yet, more racially anxious on an unconscious level Yet, more racially anxious on an unconscious level 18

People are meaning-making machines. Individual meaning Collective meaning Only 2% of emotional cognition is available to us consciously Racial bias tends to reside in the unconscious network 19 We unconsciously think about race even when we do not explicitly discuss it The Role of the Unconscious Mind

20 The Stroop Test Our Brains in Action Blue Green Please state the color of the text Black Red Green Blue Black Blue Black Red Green Red Black

21 And now, in Greek The Stroop Test   If you are a Greek speaker, this will show this works in any language. If you are not – how much easier it is now! But why? Remember: state the colour of the text           

22 Awareness Test Source:

Understanding Implicit/Unconscious Bias People’s conscious values and beliefs are only part of how they process information and make decisions People’s conscious values and beliefs are only part of how they process information and make decisions Many biases affecting behavior towards others reside in the unconscious mind Many biases affecting behavior towards others reside in the unconscious mind 23

Understanding Implicit/Unconscious Bias In other words, people who consciously value racial or other forms of equality can act and make decisions based on biases without even being aware that they have any biases at all In other words, people who consciously value racial or other forms of equality can act and make decisions based on biases without even being aware that they have any biases at all Implicit/unconscious bias is when a person’s actions are motivated by unconscious processes. Implicit/unconscious bias is when a person’s actions are motivated by unconscious processes. 24

How Implicit/Unconscious Bias Leads to Discrimination When one holds a negative stereotype about a group and meets someone who fits the stereotype s/he may discriminate against that individual When one holds a negative stereotype about a group and meets someone who fits the stereotype s/he may discriminate against that individual It occurs even among persons who are not consciously prejudiced It occurs even among persons who are not consciously prejudiced 25

26 Priming Our environment affects our unconscious networks Our environment affects our unconscious networks Priming activates mental associations Priming activates mental associations Telling someone a scary story activates a frame of fear Telling someone a scary story activates a frame of fear Claude Steele ’s“ stereotype threat ” : Claude Steele ’s“ stereotype threat ” : For example, tell students about to take a test that Asian students tend to do better than whites, and the whites will perform significantly worse than if they had not been primed to think of themselves as less capable than Asians. For example, tell students about to take a test that Asian students tend to do better than whites, and the whites will perform significantly worse than if they had not been primed to think of themselves as less capable than Asians. Source:

Individuation: focus on the individual attributes of specific person versus categorization or perceiving person through filter of their social group Individuation: focus on the individual attributes of specific person versus categorization or perceiving person through filter of their social group Source: Burgess, Van Ryn, Dovidio, and Saha, J Gen Intern Med (2007); Williams, Counteracting Unconscious Prejudice and Stereotypes

Social Cognition: Warmth and Competence Competence Warmth Low High Low High Esteemed: Your own group, who you identify with Despised: African Americans, Undocumented immigrants Envied: Competent, but don’t really like them: Asians Pity : women, elderly, disabled Source: Douglas Massey. Categorically Unequal: The American Stratification System. New York: Russell Sage Foundation

Bringing Together Implicit Bias and Structural Racialization Structural Racialization Systems Approach Power Organizing Implicit Bias Culture and Communication

The Problems of Race Neutral Poverty Programs and Policies Poverty interventions must consider the multiple underlying mechanisms of marginalization Poverty interventions must consider the multiple underlying mechanisms of marginalization When purportedly ‘neutral’ programs and policies for poverty alleviation are overlaid on already racialized practices, norms, and institutional arrangements, it is likely to not only leave such arrangements undisturbed, but perpetuate and exacerbate them When purportedly ‘neutral’ programs and policies for poverty alleviation are overlaid on already racialized practices, norms, and institutional arrangements, it is likely to not only leave such arrangements undisturbed, but perpetuate and exacerbate them 30

Imagining a New Paradigm What is an alternative vision? What is an alternative vision? A model where we all grow together A model where we all grow together A model where we embrace collective, yet differentiated solutions A model where we embrace collective, yet differentiated solutions A vision that requires collective action to be successful A vision that requires collective action to be successful 31

Towards Targeted Universalism This strategic framework starts with identifying the universal goals for all in education, health, civil rights, employment, etc. This strategic framework starts with identifying the universal goals for all in education, health, civil rights, employment, etc. Our strategies much be targeted based on the different situatedness of groups Our strategies much be targeted based on the different situatedness of groups 32

Towards Targeted Universalism The framework should support the identification of specific obstacles in particular geographies and structures and stories that limit certain populations from reaching those goals The framework should support the identification of specific obstacles in particular geographies and structures and stories that limit certain populations from reaching those goals 33

Towards Targeted Universalism Strategies are tailored to address the specific needs and situatedness of targeted populations Strategies are tailored to address the specific needs and situatedness of targeted populations They may be geographically particular based on needs and resources in different locations They may be geographically particular based on needs and resources in different locations It is difficult to effectively benefit one group while leaving others marginalized It is difficult to effectively benefit one group while leaving others marginalized 34

Towards Targeted Universalism Strategies often work on multiple scales based on the nature of the problem Strategies often work on multiple scales based on the nature of the problem They enable networks of institutions (funders, service providers, advocacy groups) with different assets/contributions to work together through linkages They enable networks of institutions (funders, service providers, advocacy groups) with different assets/contributions to work together through linkages 35

Creating Interventions Interventions need to focus on the following: Interventions need to focus on the following: Targeting structures and (un)conscious bias Targeting structures and (un)conscious bias Healing the breach of exclusion created through racialized disparities Healing the breach of exclusion created through racialized disparities Creating a process of inclusion based on fairness Creating a process of inclusion based on fairness A focus on racial equity has broader implications for social relations and systems in our society A focus on racial equity has broader implications for social relations and systems in our society These disparities effect the well-being of our entire society, not just marginalized communities These disparities effect the well-being of our entire society, not just marginalized communities 36

Creating Interventions If structural conditions are informed by implicit bias, then what is the organizational structure that can engage this? If structural conditions are informed by implicit bias, then what is the organizational structure that can engage this? How do you strategically fund to address this? How do you strategically fund to address this? Analyze the problems, create multi-scalar interventions, and fund to build capacity Analyze the problems, create multi-scalar interventions, and fund to build capacity This necessitates a flexible network, not just organizations or coalitions This necessitates a flexible network, not just organizations or coalitions It also needs funding over the long term It also needs funding over the long term 37

Reflections on Situatedness How are we each differentially situated in structures? How are we each differentially situated in structures? How do our own conscious and unconscious biases affect our philanthropic work? How do our own conscious and unconscious biases affect our philanthropic work? Where are the groups we fund situated? Where are the groups we fund situated? How are we situated vis-à-vis the groups we fund? How are we situated vis-à-vis the groups we fund? 38

Challenges in Practice In light of differential situatedness, how are collective decisions made regarding the targeted allocation of resources to different groups to meet universal goals? In light of differential situatedness, how are collective decisions made regarding the targeted allocation of resources to different groups to meet universal goals? What are the challenges of framing and allocating resources in this way? What are the challenges of framing and allocating resources in this way? For example, can perceived notions of scarcity be overcome by framing investments in a particular group as also investments in the social fabric of our society? For example, can perceived notions of scarcity be overcome by framing investments in a particular group as also investments in the social fabric of our society? 39

Challenges in Practice While targeted universalism provides is an important framework for developing communications and informing policy and programming, it will not do all of the necessary work While targeted universalism provides is an important framework for developing communications and informing policy and programming, it will not do all of the necessary work What other strategies need to be considered to deal with unintended consequences, unanticipated resistance, implementation problems, etc.? What other strategies need to be considered to deal with unintended consequences, unanticipated resistance, implementation problems, etc.? 40

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