September 12, 2020 Branch Meeting: Rights & Social Justice
By Herlinda Chico, Program Vice President
AAUW-CA’s 2020 public policy priorities include achieving economic security for all women, supporting a strong system of high-quality public education, and guaranteeing equality, individual rights and social justice for a diverse and inclusive society. To achieve these goals, it is important to understand the inequity that is currently in place.
On August 3rd, the City of Long Beach released the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative – Initial Report. The report details actions to address anti-Black racism, advance racial equity, and reconcile with the vision that race should not determine social and economic outcomes for those who live or work in Long Beach.
The goals and strategies of the initial report include actions related to government/infrastructure, public safety and policing, violence prevention, health equity and economic inclusion. The four goals, along with their outlined strategies include:
– End systemic racism in Long Beach, in all local
government and partner agencies, through
internal transformation.
– Design and invest in community safety and violence prevention
– Redesign police approach to community safety.
– Improve health and wellness in the City by eliminating social and economic disparities in the communities most impacted by racism.
Following the AAUW business meeting on September 12th, the11:00 am program will feature an outstanding panel of experts who will discuss racial equity in the City and throughout LBUSD. Long Beach Councilman Rex Richardson, who championed the Framework of Reconciliation, will discuss how it will be implemented. Long Beach Unified School District Board Member Dr. Juan Benitez will discuss the challenges and solutions at our local schools. Long Beach Office of Equity Manager Katie Balderas will discuss racism through a health lens.
We hope you will join us for this important discussion. Please RSVP here.