Eliminating Barriers to Racial Equity

Teaching Tools

Structural Racism at a Glance 

When the COVID pandemic hit the United States, many people remarked that the virus knew no color and every person was equally susceptible to contracting the deadly virus. Yet, as the weeks went on we saw that the virus was affecting communities of color the most and was expecially fatal for African Americans.

This infographic explores why there has been such a large racial disparity in COVID contractions and fatalities. 

erase covid infographic 

Long Island is one of the most racially segregated metropolitan regions in the nation. This high level of segregation directly affects the opportunites afforded to students in different school districts. This infographic explores how structural racism leads to educational inequities. 

education structural racism at a glance

 

Structural Racism Timeline

Today, racial injustice is often the product of what we can call "covert racism"; actions that are hidden from sight or ignored because they have been normalized in our everyday life. However, sometimes racism manifests in events that can draw national attention. It is important to understand that such events are rarely just "isolated incidents" or the actions of "a few horrible people." Whether the issue is a violent hate crime, college students using derogatory slurs, or the fact that segregation is so commonplace, all racial incidents are connected as contributors and symptoms of a long history of racial discrimination. With each event in this modern timeline, ask yourself this question: What may be the underlying problem here?

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A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS: Race and Education on Long Island

ERASE Racism's documentary, A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS: Race and Education on Long Island, follows David and Owen, two African American teenagers during their senior year of high school. Even though the students have a lot in common, they go to very different schools. A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS spotlights these differences and the results of educational disparities. The film also focuses on the benefits that diversity provides for all students.

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School Segregation Maps

ERASE Racism examined the effect of uniting neighboring school districts as a way to optimize funds and create diversity. For example, if school district lines were redrawn along town and city lines, we could create a total of 15 districts, which would be far less segregated by race as well as income. Have a look at these school segregation maps to compare the segregation of our current 125 school districts and what the region would look like with school districts by town. 

Public School Districts if They Were Consolidated by Town Race and Ethnicity of Public School Students 2013-14

 

Black Lives Matter Reflections

The horrific events over the past few days, months, and even years have impacted lives across the nation and around the world. At ERASE Racism, we recognize that this continuous trauma can affect our minds, bodies, and souls. We reach out today to say that you are not alone. If you have something to share, we are here to listen and, should you wish, we are here to amplify your voice. Visit our Black Lives Matter Reflection page to read submitted reflection and to see directions for how to submit your own reflection.

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