Black History Month: Issues

"Structural discrimination and unjust policing, prosecution, and incarceration practices unfairly impact Black communities. Building a just system urgently demands reform."

"The already large racial wealth gap between white and black American households grew even wider after the Great Recession. Targeted policies are necessary to reverse this deepening divide."

"Many say key U.S. institutions should be rebuilt to ensure fair treatment"

"This guide is intended to provide educational resources on racial injustice in the United States with the hope that by knowledgeably working together, we can create a more just world."

"The Prison Policy Initiative "produces cutting edge research to expose the broader harm of mass criminalization, and then sparks advocacy campaigns to create a more just society."

The Sentencing Project "works for a fair and effective U.S. criminal justice system by promoting reforms in sentencing policy, addressing unjust racial disparities and practices, and advocating for alternatives to incarceration."

"Racial bias against defendants of color and in favor of white victims has a strong effect on who is capitally prosecuted, sentenced to death, and executed."

"Racial bias keeps more people of color in prisons and on probation than ever before."

"The system of mass incarceration is perhaps the clearest manifestation of structural racism in the United States—with particularly damaging effects for black women and infants."

"This report documents the rates of incarceration for white, Black and Latinx Americans in each state, identifies three contributors to racial and ethnic disparities in imprisonment, and provides recommendations for reform."

The Brennan Center for Justice "creates innovative solutions, driven by data, to end mass incarceration."

"Black health matters, and our work on behalf of families has never been more urgent."

"We take a closer look at how mistrust in the healthcare system has affected members of the Black community. "

"A closer look at data by different social identities (such as class, gender, age, race, and medical history) shows that minorities have been disproportionally affected by the pandemic. These minorities in the United States are not having their right to health fulfilled."

"These acts of racial violence took aim at the roots of generational wealth, shaping the nation and its inequities in ways we still see today."

"Regrettably racial violence has been a distinct part of American history since 1660. While that violence has impacted almost every ethnic and racial group in the United States, it has had a particularly horrific effect on African American life."

"Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by gun violence. They experience 10 times the gun homicides, 18 times the gun assault injuries, and nearly 3 times the fatal shootings by police of white Americans."

"We advocate for equitable local, state, and federal policies that establish education standards, allocate resources, and set priorities for education and workforce systems."

"The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level."

"Three educators share candid, practical ideas about complex issues of race and equity in our schools."

"The ACLU works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country."

"Research using a Stanford database of test scores from all U.S. public schools is the first to document the relationship at a national level."

"Using available data, the report describes the experiences of millions of Black women across the United States, and offers recommendations where the opportunities for Black women can be realized."

"Black women disproportionately experience violence at home, at school, on the job, and in their neighborhoods."

"Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year from April 11-17 to bring awareness to Black maternal health."

"Imagine being paid over 40% less than white men for doing the same work. If you’re a Black woman in the United States, that’s a likely reality."

" A Multifaceted Approach to Addressing Persistent and Dire Health Disparities "

"BWHI has evolved into a nationally recognized organization leading health policy, education, research, knowledge and leadership development and communications designed to improve the healthy outcomes of Black women."

"Black women in the United States have experienced substantial improvements in health during the last century, yet health disparities persist. "

"Economic equity is crucial to racial equity. An inclusive economy means everyone can contribute and earn with fair access to resources and opportunity."