Webinar: How we rise — Policy solutions to upend structural racism and inequality

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the lives of Americans, another crisis has taken center stage in the national dialogue: systemic racism. The murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis coupled with the devastating impacts of COVID-19—a disease disproportionately affecting Black communities—have forced the country to confront tough realities about police brutality, the justice system, wealth gaps, and education and health disparities, among other issues. Both new and old policies at the state and federal level have created and perpetuate deep disparities that Black Americans experience. Lawmakers are now being called to confront systemically racist policies and enact new public policies to change the experience and life trajectories of communities of color.

On June 11, the Race, Prosperity, and Inclusion (RPI) Initiative at Brookings has officially launched How We Rise—a new policy blog focused on solutions to upend structural racism and create a more equitable society for all.

This afternoon at 2:00 p.m., RPI hosted a webinar featuring Brookings experts Camille Busette, Makada Henry-Nickie, Rashawn Ray, and President Gen. John R. Allen, USMC, Ret., for a conversation on anti-racist policy approaches to jobs, health, education, and other arenas that would support the well-being and success of communities of color.  Viewers can submit questions for speakers by emailing [email protected] or via Twitter at @BrookingsGov by using #HowWeRise.

In the coming days and over time, How We Rise will continue to explore a wide range of issues at the intersection of race and public policy. Be sure to check back for more research and analysis and sign up here to receive updates.

FROM THE “HOW WE RISE” Blog:

• Racism and the task ahead for the 2021 White House, by Camille Busette
• The collateral consequences of state-sanctioned police violence for women, by Alyasah Ali Sewell and Rashawn Ray
• Beyond corporate statements of solidarity and CEO rhetoric of equality, by Makada Henry-Nickie
• America: Individual effort is not going to help us address racism, by Camille Busette
• To add value to Black communities, we must defund the police and prison systems, by Andre Perry, David Harshberger, Carl Romer, and Kristian Thymianos
• Systemic racism and America today, by John R. Allen