Structural Racism on the Ground: Using the Communities of Opportunity Framework
(Room 9207)
Come learn about an effective model of fair housing and community development that transforms racialized space and boundaries. We use the geographic information system and extensive data sets to inform regional development by analyzing the distribution of opportunity in our metropolitan areas. The “opportunity mapping” has been completed for many metropolitan areas and used by advocates to further development goals.
Hiram J. Irizarry Osorio
john a. powell, Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity
Notes:
Structural racism:
-lens of understanding reality/intervention
-call for strategic understanding of relationships
-shift of focus from individuals to raced groups
-strategic interventions
Institutional arrangements create racialized patterns
What to gain from a structural understanding?
-outcome focused on action
-focus on de facto racism
-more of a dynamic/relational understanding
-present focus rather than past
-something needs to be done today
-over and cover understanding of racism
-rational understanding of racism rather than irrational disregard
-non-tautological
Strategic interventions
-points of pressure where collective action is needed
-need to identify relevant players
-transformative change takes time
Opportunity Mapping:
-looking how institutions play off each other
-examine us spatial, empirical relations
-evaluate neighborhoods, good or bad?
-make use of mapping software, census data
Opp. indicators:
-Housing, education, childcare, healthcare, employment, transportation, crime/safety --observe gaps, cross piece; comprehensive maps, general picture of opportunity
--> findings: blacks and latinos under-represented in high opportunity areas
--> uneven distribution of opp. has regional implications as well as community
How do we change this?
-Invest in people, and linkages between ppl -->public transportation
-targeting redevelopment of vacant areas
-availability of opportunity matters most
-make distinction between analysis, program, and communication strategy
Resources:
kirwaninstitute.org
Not to be hung up on a theme, but this also was more practical than it seemed at first. It might have been more usefully presented to folks in terms of its local practical applications, though I understand the theorty is the fundamental piece.