“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended. ”
― Nelson Mandela
Equity Challenge Week 6 Friday
Today is the final day of our 6 Week Equity Challenge!
We’d like to thank everyone for their efforts to better educate themselves
and those around them in efforts relating to race equity.
Advancing Equity in Our Community
At United Way, advancing equity is a critical part of our mission. We fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community – and that means focusing explicitly on communities of color. Over the last year we’ve seen the continuation of disproportionate damage on BIPOC Americans as well as an increase in hate towards APIA and LGBTWIA+ individuals. We recognize that those are just some of the groups who have marginalized identities within our community.
These acts of violence have brought us to a societal inflection point that left many asking – what can we do as individuals, nonprofits, companies, governments, and as humans to truly make our world a more equitable place? To deepen our own understanding of structural racism, Heart of Indiana United Way staff, Board, and Action Council members are taking action to participate in further training from the Racial Equity Institute on the Groundwater Approach.
Opportunities like this Equity Challenge are only a small piece of a great movement for change. But it’s imperative to expand and deepen understanding of these issues in order to drive meaningful action. The contents of the equity challenge may be found online throughout the year on Heart of Indiana United Way’s Website along with additional resource guides.
Get Involved
Volunteer with Heart of Indiana United Way
- Heart of Indiana United Way Action Councils are advancing equity within United Way’s work. Find out how you can make a difference volunteering. Each one of four Action Councils focus on a specific area and are comprised of Untied Way staff, board members and community volunteers like you.
Martin Luther King Dream Team Survey- For Muncie and Delaware County Residents
- Take this survey on race relations. Survey results will be compared to a survey done 20 years ago and used to help create an action plan for our community needs.
Advocate for Equity
- Advocacy comes in many forms, from registering to vote, contacting legislators and sharing your knowledge with friends and family. Check out this blog about 20 Ways to Be an Advocate. You can even share the 6 Week Equity Challenge with others.
Videos
Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable – (10:54)
Description from YouTube: Luvvie Ajayi isn’t afraid to speak her mind or to be the one dissenting voice in a crowd, and neither should you. “Your silence serves no one,” says the writer, activist and self-proclaimed professional troublemaker. In this bright, uplifting talk, Ajayi shares three questions to ask yourself if you’re teetering on the edge of speaking up or quieting down – and encourages all of us to get a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Just Belonging: Finding the Courage to Interrupt Bias (10:52)
Description from YouTube: Jasmine Roberts speaks about the emotional fatigue experienced by people of color when discussing race with their white counterparts, coupled with solutions to this growing concern. Jasmine Roberts is an educator, writer, and strategic communication professional. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan and her master’s degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
How to Resolve Racially Stressful Situations (17:17)
Description from TEDx: If we hope to heal the racial tensions that threaten to tear the fabric of society apart, we’re going to need the skills to openly express ourselves in racially stressful situations. Through racial literacy – – the ability to read, recast and resolve these situations – – psychologist Howard C. Stevenson helps children and parents reduce and manage stress and trauma. In this inspiring, quietly awesome talk, learn more about how this approach to decoding racial threat can help youth build confidence and stand up for themselves in productive ways.