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The Lens - January 2024
City of Iowa City sent this bulletin at 01/03/2024 10:00 AM CST
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January 2024 |
The Lens is the City’s newsletter to expand conversations on equity, inclusion, belonging, and access.
How much do you know about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Take this quiz to see how much you know about the civil rights icon, and the movement he helped
lead.
National Day of Racial Healing
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The National Day of Racial Healing is relatively
new, growing out of a project begun by the W.K.
Kellogg Foundation in 2016. The Foundation
launched the Truth, Racial Healing, and
Transformation Initiative to fund community-level
efforts to achieve systemic change and address
the effects of racism. The idea for a National Day
of Racial Healing arose at the first national meeting
of community partners in 2016 and has grown into a nationwide network of events held annually the
day after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Racial healing needs to occur before true racial equity can be achieved. Racial healing “is the
experience shared by people when they speak openly and hear the truth about past wrongs and
negative impacts created by individual and systemic racism.” When racial healing happens, people
build trust and create authentic relationships, so they are able to work cooperatively to transform
systems and create sustainable progress. It is a continual process. Benefits include restoring both
people and communities to wholeness, repairing the damage caused by racism, building trust and
authentic relationships, and bridging divides.
Communities nationwide will participate in the eighth Day of Racial Healing on Jan. 16, 2024.
Participation can be as simple as holding a conversation or as elaborate as a symposium. In Atlanta, a
theater group holds yearly dinners with facilitated conversations sparked by short plays. In Battle
Creek, Mich., a non-profit is bringing people together to imagine in specific terms - even down to the
taste and smell - what their community could be like if there were no racism. In Albuquerque, a science
museum is opening an exhibit focusing on under-represented scientists with a festive gathering and a
teen summit. Individuals can pledge to take their own actions, too. Many people have listed their ideas
here. The Day of Racial Healing website, from which all information in this article was drawn, contains
a wealth of information, ideas, and helpful resources.
Belonging as an outcome to DEI efforts
Much has been written on diversity, equity, and
inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, but a new
aspect of inclusion is emerging. Experts say a
sense of belonging is “a key component,” that
affects performance, retention, and satisfaction.
Belonging is more than being included; it refers
instead to “the emotional and psychological
aspects of individuals feeling valued, accepted,
and connected” at work. In this New York Times article (subscription available through the Iowa City
Public Library) Irshad Manji, founder of Moral Courage College consultancy, thinks a problem with
some DEI efforts is “an almost offensive focus on group labels.” She says that sort of DEI “almost
compels people to stereotype each other.” Employees in an environment where DEI efforts are not
done well can default to being “fake nice” and passive-aggressive, or feeling unsupported and not
speaking up, says Andrew Anagnost, President and CEO of Autodesk.
In contrast, a focus on belonging strives to eliminate the “one size fits some” office, where some
people feel like outsiders who have to suppress parts of themselves. Professor Kenji Yoshino
developed the term ”covering” to describe this phenomenon. Examples include an LGBTQ+ person
not bringing their partner to work events to obscure their sexual orientation or a person with mobility
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limitations choosing to leave their cane at home on work days to hide a disability or their actual age.
When an organization focuses on belonging, people do not feel as if they need to hide parts of
themselves to be accepted at work.
Critics like Stephanie Creary, an assistant professor of management at the Wharton School of
Business, say “belonging allows companies to avoid the tough conversations about power” and is “a
way to help people who aren’t marginalized feel like they’re part of the conversation.” But Karith
Foster, Chief Executive at Inversity Solutions, says an overemphasis on identity groups can “alienate
everyone - including employees of color.” She feels “it’s not about being right or wrong but
understanding when bias comes into play … Let’s see how we can move forward.”
Heather Brown, owner of Cultural Sponge, a design and marketing company focused on assisting
LGBTQ+ and non-profit businesses, has this advice for building a culture of belonging:
Lead by example. Leaders must be open, communicative, respectful, and empathetic.
Promote psychological safety. Employees must be able to express opinions, make mistakes,
offer ideas, and take risks without fear of judgment or reprisal.
Cultivate inclusive practices. There are opportunities to be inclusive in hiring and promotion,
policies and procedures, and virtually every other aspect of business if an organization is
interested in implementing them.
Encourage authentic connections. Build relationships, and boost collaboration, mentorship,
resource groups, and social activities. Bring people together.
Shakara Worrell, a Human Resource Coordinator at Allegis Global Solutions, recalls her women’s
employee resource group holding a virtual meeting after the Supreme Court decision that overturned
Roe v. Wade, which roughly 200 people attended. Only one attendee spoke in favor of the decision,
but told Ms. Worrell later that she still felt able to share her thoughts. Ms. Worrell commented, “we
want our people to feel ok and be ok.” That sums up the concept of belonging.
Upcoming Programming
The Office of Equity and Human Rights and the Iowa City Public Library (ICPL) will host a community
screening of The Road to Justice to recognize National Day of Racial Healing, on Tuesday, Jan. 16,
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2024. The event will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. in ICPL Meeting Room A. The screening will be
followed by a facilitated discussion led by Dr. Negus Sankofa Imhotep. Those interested in attending
the screening and discussion should register via Eventbrite here.
The Road to Justice
The Road to Justice follows two groups on a civil rights tour through the American South as they
reckon with our painful legacy of racial injustice. The first, a group of predominantly Black middle
school students from Chicago: and the second, a group of older Americans who lived through the
1960s Civil Rights era. They come face-to-face with the leaders and everyday heroes whose courage
and perseverance paved the way for future generations. View the trailer here.
The Office of Equity and Human Rights and the Iowa City Public Library (ICPL) will host a book club
discussion on Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families--and How Abolition
Can Build a Safer World by Dorothy Roberts from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. The
discussion will be led by Abena S. Imhotep, CEO of Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group and
award-winning author of Omari's Big Tree and the Mighty Djembe. The Library offers the book in
various formats for checkout. They will also have a limited number available at the second floor
Information Desk for those that register - see staff for details.
Those interested in participating can register here.
Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families--and How Abolition Can
Build a Safer World
Many believe the child welfare system protects children from abuse. But as Torn Apart uncovers, this
system is designed to punish Black families. Drawing on decades of research, legal scholar and
sociologist Dorothy Roberts reveals that the child welfare system is better understood as a “family
policing system” that collaborates with law enforcement and prisons to oppress Black communities.
Child protection investigations ensnare a majority of Black children, putting their families under intense
state surveillance and regulation. Black children are disproportionately likely to be torn from their
families and placed in foster care, driving many to juvenile detention and imprisonment.
The only way to stop the destruction caused by family policing, Torn Apart argues, is to abolish the
child welfare system and liberate Black communities.
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Ms. Magazine is featuring a four part podcast series on Dorothy Roberts's work. For those that might
not get the book completed and/or as a companion to learn more about the topic. Visit this link.
Upcoming Lens Webinar
Rethinking Columbus
Too many children still learn that "Columbus discovered
America." But that myth teaches harmful lessons -- not
only about Columbus and the Taíno people who
Columbus encountered, but about whose lives matter in
the school curriculum, whose voices count, and whose
don't. In this slide presentation, Bigelow examines
children's literature on Columbus's voyages to the
Americas to explore the "secret education" that young people absorb. He also will share how we can
help young people think more critically and thoughtfully about history - and our world today.
Preregistration is required. You can register at this link.
Reforming Property Law to Address Devastating Land Loss
Presented by Professor Thomas W. Mitchell at noon on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024. Mitchell is a law
professor and national expert on property issues facing disadvantaged families and communities.
Preregistration is required. You can register at this link.
“There are many different aspects of property law and land use law … that have disserved
disadvantaged communities but that have been understudied and undertheorized. If we can get teams
of people to start looking at … those issues in a proactive and sustainable way, the work could
generate a much bigger impact.” - Professor Thomas W. Mitchell
Questions or accommodations
For questions or if you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in any of our
programs, contact the office at 319-356-5022 or humanrights@iowa-city.org. Early requests are
strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
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