1. Targeted Universalism
NCACH Annual Summit
Targeted Universalism
PRESENTER:
john a. powell
Director, Haas Institute
DATE:
April 12, 2019

2. Outline Targeted Universalism TU & Equity Operationalizing Belonging
TU components
Setting goals, alignment
Bridging, targeting, grouping
Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society

3. Which is darker: Square A or Square B?V
This process sometimes plays tricks on us.
2 things the mind is doing automatically without our awareness:
Local contrast with squares around it.
The mind automatically undoes the darkening of the shadow.
______
More info, FYI
This illusion displays how colors can be manipulated to alter our visual perception. Specifically, the checker shadows illuminate two “tricks”
Adelson, 1995
Local contrast:
- A check that is lighter than the surrounding checks is most likely lighter than average, regardless of shadow (and vice versa)
Even though “B’ is dark, it is surrounded by darker checks, and so appears lighter, even in shadow
The checks outside of the shadow are surrounded by lighter checks, and so appear darker.
2) Soft vs. sharp edges:
- Shadows have soft edges, paint boundaries (e.g., checks) have sharp edges.
Visual system ignores gradual changes in light, in order to avoid being misled by shadows
The shadow appears as a shadow both because of it’s soft edges and because the shadow-casting object is visible
The sharp edges of the checks are accentuated by the “X-junction” formed by having 4 adjacent checks (X-junctions usually indicate edges should be interpreted as changes in surface color as opposed to shadows or lighting)
The Checker Shadow Illusion

4. What shapes do you see? J
there’s no triangle. but there is enough information for our minds to see a triangle anyway.
Our unconscious help us make sense of the world by taking some information from the environment and then “filling in the blanks”. we don’t see the blanks, we see a triangle.

5. Categorization happens quickly
It takes only 100 milliseconds (1/10 of a second) for our brains to categorize someone by race and about 150 ms by gender.
The unconscious is even faster. J
To underscore how quickly the process of categorization happens:
it takes only 100 milliseconds (1/10 of a second) for our brains to respond to race and about 150 ms to gender.
WE NOT ONLY NOTICE SOMEONE’S GENDER AND RACE BUT ALL KINDS OF CHARACTERISTICS, WE ALSO NOTICE HEIGHT
——————-
ref: Ito & Urland (2003). Race and gender on the brain. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

6. Face Priming
V - priming
What did you detect?

7. Face Priming (Slow Motion)V

8. Awareness Test

9. Targeted Universalism: universal goals & targeted strategies
Structural inequity & othering is created by different groups and people having different pathways with structural road blocks to reach a goal.
Targeted universalism directs attention to pathways different groups face & suggests structural changes to make those paths smoother.

10. Why The Universal Falls Short
Fails to recognize the way in which groups are differently situated based on historical and systemic exclusion and subordination
Fails to recognize the interconnectedness of policy issues
Universal policies will not lift all boats. It will lift the boats that are considered the norm, but not those boats with unique conditions, like a leaky underbelly, and will fail to address those who lack boats completely
The universal is not the strategy or process but the goal

11. Why Targeted Policies Fall Short
The focus must be transforming soceity. It is not enough to provide relief to someone who is systemically disadvantaged by the construction of society. The answer is to transform the society entirely.
It does not take into account the ways in which the norms, desires, and practices of different groups may differ from the imagined universal being.
It understands racism and marginalization as a harm that knocks someone from this initial position and then tries to restore them to that position.
Targeted policies stem from a paradigm that says everyone began on equal footing and on equal footing adheres to the norms, desires, and practices of a universal being constructed with the white male in mind.
Why Targeted Policies Fall Short

12. Targeted Universalism: 5 Steps
Articulate a particular goal based upon a robust understanding and analysis of the problem at hand.
Assess difference of general population from universal goal.
Assess particular geographies and population segments divergence from goal.
Assess barriers to achieving the goal for each group/geography.
Craft targeted processes to each group to reach universal goal.

13. Why Targeted Universalism
Some people ride the “Up” escalator to reach opportunity.
Others have to run up the “Down” escalator to get there.

14. Why Targeted Universalism? People are differently situated
People are impacted by the relationships between institutions and systems…
…but people also impact these relationships and can change the structure of the system.
Not only are people situated differently with regard to institutions, people are situated differently with regard to infrastructure

15. Short and Tall Passengers
Biased Designs
Short and Tall Passengers
Structural Bias
Think of the design of an airplane
How might they be biased in favor of taller stronger passengers?
Structural Bias
Think of the design of an airplane
How might they be biased in favor of taller stronger passengers?

16. The opposite of othering is belonging—not ‘saming’.
Belonging is the aspiration.
Targeted universalism can point to practical steps to get there.
Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society

17. Targeted Universalism: Exclusion, Integration, Inclusion, Belonging
Belonging (Equity 2.0) is not even pictured here—it’s on the next slide w/ mention of power to co-create
Diversity
Equity
Where do diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging fit?

18. But different people need different resources.
Targeted Universalism: Equity v. Belonging
This series of images serves as a visual metaphor of targeted universalism. In the images we see similar themes—a fence obscuring the view of two people trying to see the Taj Mahal, then they get a bench to stand on to see over the fence. The same principle holds from the other image of the fence and baseball game—removing the fence is a more durable fix. However, this image reflects another dimension of consideration. Making one structural change to remove the fence can be more durable than, for example, installing the bench to stand on. However, there are multiple ways to “see” the Taj. This example draws from a story of a young blind man who was given a model of the Taj Mahal so it may enable him to apprehend the structure. This makes the articulation of the universal goal even more thoughtful and rigorous. The goal isn’t to see the Taj Mahal—if by seeing we mean the way a majority of people’s visual system is integrated with their central nervous system. Instead the goal could be described as making sure everyone can appreciate and appraise the structure. This example highlights the importance of making sure there is a diverse audience that participates in deciding what the universal goal is and making sure that the participation of a diverse audience shares decision making power.
The Taj Mahal was constructed between 1632 and 1643 to serve as a mausoleum and is surrounded with gardens and other buildings. In the image where the boy holds a physical model of Taj Mahal, young Indian men stand behind him with posters that urge people to “Vote for the Taj” as part of the 2000 election process to select the “world’s seven wonders.” These young men’s enthusiasm reflects the national pride among some Indian people—as does a song written for the occasion of the voting process released in six of the many different languages spoken in India—it came to be known as the Taj Anthem. It is at a public demonstration to encourage voting for the Taj that the young man holds the model of the Taj Mahal. The model does not only allow him an avenue to “see” the Taj Mahal—it may afford the young man additional information that could shape his decision to share or dissent from holding national pride in the Taj or “voting for it.” This is an example of how including many people in the process of defining a universal goal is important—and how there has to be a deliberate intentional effort to involve people who are ordinarily or historically left out of decision making. This participation is not simply an advisory role where these groups or individuals provide insight—rather the participation must be granted authority and influence.
Yes, some people need more resources and different numbers of boxes will work.
But different people need different resources.

19. Opportunity Structures
What is important from a systems and structures perspective is the relationship between the nodes as well as networks
Opportunity structures are the webs of influence beyond our individual control that enhance and constrain our ability to succeed and excel
Life changes are shaped by opportunity structures, and those structures are just as important, if not more so, than the choices that individuals make

20. Bad apple or rotten tree?
It’s not just tree, soil, but a chemical compound we cannot even see. It’s a complex system involved that is responsible “bad apple.” What are the conditions that produce outcomes?
Bad apple or rotten tree?
What about the soil underneath?

21. Spatial, Racial, and Opportunity Segregation Impact a Number of Life Opportunities
Health
School segregation
Educational achievement Exposure to crime; arrest
Neighborhood Segregation
Transportation limitations and other inequitable public services
Job segregation
Racial stigma and other psychological issues
Community power and individual assets

22. Opportunity Mapping
Identifies indicators which are research based and represent neighborhood conditions, and develops measures which can transform data to represent opportunity
Uses geospatial analyses and techniques to illuminate the ways in which structures and institutions promote or restrict access to opportunity based on their "situatedness."

24. Wealth Segregation & Opportunity

25. Spatial Racialization in SE Michigan

26. Targeted Universalism Mapping in Washington

27. Targeted Universalism Mapping in Washington
2019 County Health Rankings Report – Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

28. Example of Targeted Universalism
Baltimore city Health Department helped launch a special program to provide eyeglasses to primary and secondary school children after a screening program discovered that as many as 15,000 students in their school system needed glasses. This program institutionalized a screening service and provided eye glasses at no cost, providing 1,000 free eye glasses in the first ten months. The service targeted individuals through a screening process based upon a recognition that some students were unable to reach the universal goal of receiving an adequate education without them.

29. Example of Targeted Universalism
(1) Dental health aide therapists (DHATs) [this is what you will be discussing on Thursday]
In 2016, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community became the first tribe in the Lower 48 states to employ a dental therapist to provide basic oral health services.
In 2017, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law a bill that allows federally recognized tribes to use federal funding for DHATs, who provide preventive care and procedures such as cleanings, fillings and oral exams.
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community:
DHAT provider Daniel Kennedy with his first patient Anthony Cladoosby.

30. Targeted Universalism

31. Example of Targeted Universalism
Passed in 2015, the Richmond City ordinance identifies health equity as a city priority.
It takes a targeted universalism approach by creating universal goals and targeted strategies to reach these goals. The ordinance recognizes that different groups require different, focused interventions.
The ordinance also recognizes that to address health inequity, the city needs to address social determinants of health and the root causes of health disparities.
The goal is to address inequities and to eliminate resulting disparities. The ordinance focuses on social determinants of health, including discrimination, racism, and concentrated poverty.
It also addresses contributing factors of toxic stress, including residential segregation, poor air quality, racial profiling, economic security, and intergenerational health effects.
Richmond’s Health in All Policies ordinance

32. Understanding Structures as Systems
We are all situated within structures, but not evenly. Structures interact in a way that produces a differential in outcome. Structures unevenly distribute benefits and burdens to various groups. Institutions can operate jointly to produce negative outcomes.
Physical Structures
Outcomes
Social Structures
Cultural Structures

33. Reconciling the gap between values and reality
Our Collective Work Must Be…
Create System Level Change
Catalyze change
Target Leverage Points
Impact Cross-Domain/Sector/Issue
Transformative
Support Alliances
Build Coalitions
Broaden Stakeholders
Build Movement
Power-Building
Inspire Action
Raise Consciousness
Create Coherence Between Issues
Change the Narrative

34. How to make transformational change?
Transformative thinking and approaches to change should consider the structures that are creating and perpetuating disparities, and work to reform them for lasting change. Look at disaggregated data The role of leadership in effecting transformative change is crucial. Policy is important, but only one piece of the puzzle. Language and narratives matter. Change our view and practice of leadership from transactional to transformative.

35. Power Building: Developing Network Partnerships
Infrastructure and Structured Alliances
More than a coalition, but less than an organization.
A shared platform or structure that holds together and has the capacity to support and link critical interdisciplinary and inter-sector relationships.
Achieve Scale to Play Big
Tackle big issues/game changers.
Alignment: Bring together advocates, researchers, organizers, and policymakers.
Identify Strategic Partners and Expand Outward
Identify core groups. Grow in stages.
Legitimate and communicate community ambition.
Shared Governance: Participants contribute to and define the agenda.

36. Targeted Universalism
Structural inequity produces consistently different outcomes for different communities
Targeted universalism responds with universal goals and targeted solutions
VS.

37. FAQS And General Concerns
We aren’t ignoring the dominant group.
When policies are designed in a targeted universal way, dominant groups can often interpret this as being left out. The point to make is that the dominant group is usually already accommodated. Either they have what other groups are excluded from or they were the main beneficiaries when the initial ‘universal’ policy was implemented – like the GI Bill or New Deal policies.

38. What does a transformative agenda look like?
Transformative change requires substantive efforts in three areas: Talking about race: Understanding how language and messages shape reality and the perception of reality. Thinking about race: Understanding how framing and priming impact information processing in both the explicit and the implicit mind. Acting on race: Understanding how we arrange our institutions and policies, and intervening in equitable arrangements.

39. Which is darker: Square A or Square B?V
This process sometimes plays tricks on us.
2 things the mind is doing automatically without our awareness:
Local contrast with squares around it.
The mind automatically undoes the darkening of the shadow.
______
More info, FYI
This illusion displays how colors can be manipulated to alter our visual perception. Specifically, the checker shadows illuminate two “tricks”
Adelson, 1995
Local contrast:
- A check that is lighter than the surrounding checks is most likely lighter than average, regardless of shadow (and vice versa)
Even though “B’ is dark, it is surrounded by darker checks, and so appears lighter, even in shadow
The checks outside of the shadow are surrounded by lighter checks, and so appear darker.
2) Soft vs. sharp edges:
- Shadows have soft edges, paint boundaries (e.g., checks) have sharp edges.
Visual system ignores gradual changes in light, in order to avoid being misled by shadows
The shadow appears as a shadow both because of it’s soft edges and because the shadow-casting object is visible
The sharp edges of the checks are accentuated by the “X-junction” formed by having 4 adjacent checks (X-junctions usually indicate edges should be interpreted as changes in surface color as opposed to shadows or lighting)
The Checker Shadow Illusion

40. Categorization happens quickly
It takes only 100 milliseconds (1/10 of a second) for our brains to categorize someone by race and about 150 ms by gender.
The unconscious is even faster. J
To underscore how quickly the process of categorization happens:
it takes only 100 milliseconds (1/10 of a second) for our brains to respond to race and about 150 ms to gender.
WE NOT ONLY NOTICE SOMEONE’S GENDER AND RACE BUT ALL KINDS OF CHARACTERISTICS, WE ALSO NOTICE HEIGHT
——————-
ref: Ito & Urland (2003). Race and gender on the brain. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

41. Face Priming
V - priming
What did you detect?

42. Face Priming (Slow Motion)V

43. Awareness Test

44. For more information, visit: http://www. iupress. indiana
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