CONTINUUM ON BECOMING AN ANTI-RACIST MULTICULTURAL INSTITUTION

 
MONOCULTURAL ==>  MULTICULTURAL ==>  ANTI-RACIST ==> ANTI-RACIST MULTICULTURAL
Racial and Cultural Differences Seen as Deficits ==> Tolerant of Racial and Cultural Differences ==> Racial and Cultural Differences Seen as Assets

 
1. Exclusive
A Segregated 
Institution
2. Passive
A "Club" 
Institution
3. Symbolic Change
A Multicultural
Institution
4. Identity Change
An Anti-Racist
Institution
5. Structural Change 
A Transforming 
Institution
6. Fully Inclusive 
A Transformed Institution in a Transformed Society
  • Intentionally and publicly excludes or segregates African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans
  • Intentionally and publicly enforces the racist status quo throughout institution
  • Institutionalization of racism includes formal policies and practices, teachings, and decision making on all levels
  • Usually has similar intentional policies and practices toward other socially oppressed groups such as women, gays and lesbians, Third World citizens, etc.
  • Tolerant of a limited number of People of Color with "proper" perspective and credentials
  • May still secretly limit or exclude People of Color in contradiction to public policies
  • Continues to intentionally maintain white power and privilege through its formal policies and practices, teachings, and decision making on all levels of institutional life
  • Often declares, "We don't have a problem."
  • Makes official policy pronouncements regarding Multicultural diversity
  • Sees itself as "non-racist" institution with open doors to People of Color
  • Carries out intentional inclusiveness efforts, recruiting "someone of color" on committees or office staff
  • Expanding view of diversity includes other socially oppressed groups
But…
  • "Not those who make waves"
  • Little or no contextual change in culture, policies, and decision making
  • Is still relatively unaware of continuing patterns of privilege, paternalism and control
  • Growing understanding of racism as barrier to effective diversity
  • Develops analysis of systemic racism
  • Sponsors programs of anti-racism training
  • New consciousness of institutionalized white power and privilege
  • Develops intentional identity as an "anti-racist" institution
  • Begins to develop accountability to racially oppressed communities
  • Increasing commitment to dismantle racism and eliminate inherent white advantage
But…
  • Institutional structures and culture that maintain white power and privilege still intact and relatively untouched
  • Commits to process of intentional institutional restructuring, based upon anti-racist analysis and identity
  • Audits and restructures all aspects of institutional life to ensure full participation of People of Color, including their world-view, culture and lifestyles
  • Implements structures, policies and practices with inclusive decision making and other forms of power sharing on all levels of the institutions life and work
  • Commits to struggle to dismantle racism in the wider community, and builds clear lines of accountability to racially oppressed communities
  • Anti-racist multicultural diversity becomes an institutionalized asset
  • Redefines and rebuilds all relationships and activities in society, based on anti-racist commitments
  • Future vision of an institution and wider community that has overcome systemic racism
  • Institution's life reflects full participation and shared power with diverse racial, cultural and economic groups in determining its mission, structure, constituency, policies and practices
  • Full participation in decisions that shape the institution, and inclusion of diverse cultures, lifestyles, and interest
  • A sense of restored community and mutual caring
  • Allies with others in combating all forms of social oppression

©Crossroads Ministry, Chicago, Illinois, 2000.  Used by permission.