Conducting an Initial Assessment for Dismantling Systems of Racism: An Evaluation Tool for Individuals and Organizations

As we continue to process in each of our communities the ways that injustices can be addressed and repaired, White persons around you, in your communities, congregations, and teams, or you as a White person, may be re-evaluating systems of racism and wondering what specifically can be done next.

Here are some important practices for White persons to consider, for participating in dismantling systems of racism within one's immediate environments:
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Conduct an Inventory of Relationships

• How many Persons of Color are leaders in your life, in your immediate surroundings, at work, at school, in your congregation, or in your community?
• How many Persons of Color do you seek advice or guidance from on a regular basis, when making decisions in your life?
• How many Persons of Color authors do you read, through books, news articles, academic journals, or other premier sources?
• How many Persons of Color professionals do you seek services from?
• How many Persons of Color are neighbors who live in your current neighborhood?

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These are only a few of the questions to be asking yourself related to systems of racism in which you may participate, including professional or work environments, local government, literature, and real estate.

Make Changes
As you review your answers to the questions above, if you found that your numbers are low, what steps can you take to increase the numbers in answer to those questions?

​Breaking down the insulation that the above questions might reveal requires continual intentional actions in which you see and perceive Persons of Color as genuinely esteemed persons in your life. Not as people in need of your help. Not as people to "enable." Rather, as people to learn from, be guided by, and with whom to partner. As peers and leaders in your life.

While it may be relatively easy to increase your reading of Persons of Color authors – and I would encourage you to do that – I would also encourage you to explore the ways you can increase numbers in response to the other questions. This may take harder, or more uncomfortable, work in some cases. It may require having hard conversations with persons in your work, school, congregation, or local real estate arenas.
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Having these conversations, with thoughtfulness and a focus on listening carefully, are some of the ways you can begin to make a difference. ​

Thank you for being committed to care in the face of ongoing collective trauma. Your care restores.

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Further reading and additional resources:

• Find additional resources here.​
  
• Receive updates via email ​for  resources related to anti-racism work.

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​Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe serves as the Executive Director of ICTG. She is an organizational health consultant and pastoral psychotherapist. She lives with her family in Santa Barbara, CA.