Making the Case
Overview
The ability to make a strong case for racial equity work is itself an important change process. This includes the ability to communicate goals, strategies and outcomes in ways that various audiences can hear and which motivate action. It also includes the ability to tailor a message to particular audiences, for example using a tougher message to keep supporters motivated and a softer message to pull in “fence-sitters” (see Some Thoughts About Public Will). It can also include ways of using data and stories together; thinking about what each contributes in terms of messaging and motivating or influencing action. In addition, whenever communicating about racial equity or related issues of racism and privilege, it is helpful to learn more about what implicit or explicit biases and assumptions particular audiences are likely to bring to bear on a message. Communications strategists research this piece of their work extensively, so they can include context and “inoculating” ideas, words and stories that increase the likelihood that what they are communicating is heard as intended. Resources in this section include different ways communities and organizations make the case for racial equity work. In addition, there are resources about using data and information as tools to educate and engage people. Please also see Data section, and Evaluation section Tip Sheets on ways of presenting data for other ideas and insights.
Examples
- Racial Equality in the St. Louis Region: A Community Call to Action
- Racism and the Opportunity Divide on Long Island
- Social Justice and Racial Equality
- Opportunity in Connecticut: The Impact of Race, Poverty and Education on Family Economic Success
- Racial Equity in Iowa City and Johnson County
- Facing Race: the 2013 Oregon Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity
- Race To Equity Report: A Baseline Report on the State of Racial Disparities in Dane County
- Metropolitan Detroit Race Equity Report
- Unfinished Business: Linking Boston’s “Busing/Desegregation Crisis” to Struggles for Equity
- Increasing Racial & Ethnic Equity: Community Impact Report
- 2013–2014 Minnesota Legislative Report Card on Racial Equity
- Dallas Faces Race
- Katrina Truth: Resistant New Orleans
- The Black Voices Project
- Empowering Black Long Island: How Equity Is Key to the Future of Nassau and Suffolk Counties
- EquityNewOrleans: The Road to Equitable Government
- The State of Racial Disparities in Charleston County, South Carolina, 2000-2015
- A Tale of Three Cities: The State of Racial Justice in Chicago Report
- Segregation in St. Louis: Dismantling the Divide
- Toward a Vision for Racial Equity & Inclusion at Starbucks: Review and Recommendations
- Building Equity and Opportunity: What Does It Mean for King County?
- "The Black Butterfly": Racial Segregation and Investment Patterns in Baltimore"
- Equity Indicators: Toward a St. Louis Region that works for us all
- Why Racial Equity
- Race in the Heartland Equity, Opportunity, and Public Policy in the Midwest
- Human Factors in Regenerative Networks
Tools
- Community Values Communication Toolkit: Messaging the Campaign for Community Values
- Making the Case Resources
- Maine Racial Justice Policy Guide
Resources
- Appealing to Mississippi Values: Identifying Values That Elevate Support for Education Reform and for Addressing Racial Disparities in Mississippi
- Open Society News: Dream and Reality - Searching for Racial Justice in the United States
- Achieving Racial Justice: What's Sprawl Got to Do With It?
- Expanding Equal Opportunity and Racial Justice: Recent Affirmative Action Battles and the Implications for America's Promise
- Compact for Racial Justice: An Agenda for Fairness and Unity
- Structural Barriers to Racial Equity in Pittsburgh Expanding Economic Opportunity for African American Men and Boys
- The Competitive Advantage of Racial Equity
