Institutional and Structural Racism
Until Justice Just Is (UJJI), an initiative of YWCA USA, focuses on building community and raising awareness about the impact of institutional and structural racism. Throughout the month of April, this annual campaign provides an opportunity for communities across the United States to connect with an issue or cause that inspires them to unite their voices to educate, advocate, and promote racial justice.
Structural racism plays a large role in determining the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and affects people’s access to quality housing, education, food, transportation, political power, and other social determinants of health. Understanding and addressing systemic racism from this public health perspective is crucial to eliminating racial and ethnic inequities, and to improving opportunity and well-being across communities.
Join the Racial Justice Challenge
Beginning on April 17, the YWCA Racial Justice Challenge is designed to create dedicated time and space to build more effective social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, privilege, and leadership. The challenge works to foster personal reflection, encourage social responsibility, and motivate participants to take action against racism and other forms of discrimination.
For four weeks, daily challenge activities (reading an article, listening to a podcast, reflecting on personal experience, etc.) are posted in the challenge app and website, allowing participants to connect with one another, discover how racial and social injustice impact our community, and identify ways to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. Each week covers a different topic related to equity and social justice.
Our collective efforts can root out injustice, transform institutions, and create a world that sees women, girls, and people of color the way we see them: Equal. Powerful. Unstoppable.
You can also participate on your phone or tablet by downloading the free app!
Additional Resources
- Disability Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Housing Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Mental Health Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Music Fact Sheet (PDF)
