B2-1: History of Equity Office and PARD Efforts — original pdf

Backup

History of Equity Office & PARD Efforts In 2015: Austin is the best place to live in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report & One of the most economically segregated cities in the U.S. according to the Martin Prosperity Institute Community Organized for Accountability And Led To… • In 2015, Council passed a resolution creating the Equity Office to administer an Equity Tool • After an extensive search and interview process, Chief Equity Officer Brion Oaks was hired in October 2016 “Maintaining the Spirit of the Resolution” • Brion intentionally followed the resolution, engaging the community whose organizing resulted in the Office • Co-created the Equity Assessment Tool, and defined “equity” for the City of Austin • Volunteers dedicated over 900 hours in the process 5 City Equity Definition Racial equity is the condition when race no longer predicts a person’s quality of life outcomes in our community. The City recognizes that race is the primary determinant of social equity and therefore we begin the journey toward social equity with this definition. The City of Austin recognizes historical and structural disparities and a need for alleviation of these wrongs by critically transforming its institutions and creating a culture of equity. A Framework for Equity Equity Lens What do you know about the racial history of Austin? Indigenous Peoples and Land Indigenous Peoples and Land Acknowledging How We Got Here Inheriting inequality “As greater Austin booms, the poisonous legacy of segregation continues to cut off the African-American population from economic opportunities and its own cultural anchors, threatening the whole region's potential.” -An American-Statesmanthree-part series http://projects.statesman.com/news/economic-mobility/ 1928 Plan “There has been considerable talk in Austin, as well as other cities, in regard to the race segregation problem. This problem cannot be solved legally under any zoning law known to us at present. Practically all attempts of such have been unconstitutional.” pg. 66 First Ward Boundaries of Austin’s First Ward or “Austin’s Mexico” 6th Street to the North Colorado River to the South Congress Avenue to the East Rio Grande Street to the West Many families settled along Shoal Creek Creating the “Negro District” A New Deal program was proposed that would reinforce segregationist boundaries in Austin and throughout the country. The program, designed to restore household wealth during the Great Depression, used redlining -- the practice of denying goods or services to racially determined neighborhoods -- to specifically exclude communities of color. 1928 Birth of Parks & Rec System • Prior to 1928, Black and Mexican people had their own spaces to recreate • Parks system shaped by institutional racism, segregated these spaces • • 1928, Rosewood Park is acquired, becoming the only public park to serve African-American residents 1931, Parque Zaragoza becomes the first and only park to serve Mexicans and Mexican Americans • 1963 Park integration Where are we now? EXPLICITLY RACIST “RACE- NEUTRAL” While most explicitly racist laws and policies have been overturned or replaced, explicitly racist laws have had a profound effect on today’s racial outcome gaps in wealth, health, lifespan and every other indicator of wellbeing. “Race-neutral” laws, policies and practices like the GI Bill — to name just one example — replicate and worsen existing gaps between People of Color and White people. Where do we go from here? EXPLICITLY RACIST “RACE- NEUTRAL” EXPLICITLY ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY We can create a future in alignment with our values by explicitly, proactively advancing racial equity through rigorous, data-driven strategies. The Racial Equity Here commitment is centered around these strategies, like using a racial equity tool. Parks and Recreation Department NORMALIZE ORGANIZE OP ERATIONALIZE • Dire ctor le a de rs hip • Ra cia l e quity committe e • Ra nge r Ca de t P rogra m • Ra ce e xplicit • La ngua ge a cce s s committe e • Aus tin Civilia n Cons e rva tion • Le a rning our his tory • He a ling s pa ce s • Equity vs . Equa lity • Cros s -De pt Colla bora tion • Le a de rs hip de ve lopme nt • Equity Ma na ge rs Ne twork Corps • S wim ATX • Long Ra nge P la n Imple me nta tion Questions?