Racial Justice

What is the problem?

The struggle for racial equality has been integral to the broader human rights movement, challenging deeply entrenched prejudices and institutionalized discrimination. From historic civil rights struggles to contemporary movements, the fight for racial justice highlights the interconnectedness of human rights, emphasizing the need for equitable treatment and opportunities for all regardless of race or ethnicity.  

Racial injustice—the systemic racial discrimination and oppression institutionalized through laws, policies, and social practices—has profoundly affected the human rights landscape for people in the U.S., shaping societal norms and legal frameworks that privilege some and exclude others, all while drastically shaping the way individuals experience their human rights dependent on their race.  

White supremacy—a belief in the system of white racial superiority—is an enduring legacy in the United States, from the inception of the nation to today. That enduring legacy has permeated into a direct and lasting challenge to individual and collective human rights for many.  

Systemic racism—policies and practices that perpetuate racial disparities—has impacted all parts of life in our country, like education, employment, healthcare, and criminal justice, disproportionately impacting communities of color. For more than 400 years, systemic racism such as discriminatory legislation, redlining, and mass incarceration have robbed generations of the ability to fully enjoy their human rights.  

By fighting racial injustice, we can move closer to fulfilling the promise of equality and justice for all. 

WHY IS THIS AN ISSUE?

For more than 400 years, systemic racism such as discriminatory legislation, redlining, and mass incarceration has robbed generations of the ability to fully enjoy their human rights.  

Racial injustice is an issue for everyone. At its core, racial injustice undermines the principles of equality and fairness that are essential for a just society. It perpetuates systemic discrimination and hampers the potential of individuals, regardless of their race, to thrive and contribute fully to their communities. Ultimately, addressing racial injustice is not just a moral imperative but also crucial for fostering social cohesion and realizing the true promise of a truly equitable society. 

From the inability of many Black and brown communities to access the same economic opportunities afforded to white Americans—to the disproportionate over-representation when it comes to instances of unjust policing and incarceration—these issues are far-reaching and deeply embedded in our society. 

On top of these challenges many Black Americans face from the vestiges of slavery and white supremacy, racist acts of police violence continue to disproportionately rob Black Americans of their human right to life. In addition, economic injustices result in negative health outcomes to the physical and mental health of those impacted the most. 

We are in a crisis. And our response must be swift, meaningful, and intentional. 

Who is most impacted? 

Human rights belong to all people—but racial justice work recognizes that not everyone experiences their human rights equally and that some communities face specific barriers in accessing their human rights. For example: 

All people have the right to make decisions about their own body and to enjoy their sexual and reproductive rights. Yet access to reproductive care, particularly access to abortion, is not equal, as Black, brown, and Indigenous communities are disproportionately impacted by abortion bans and restrictions. 

All people are impacted by the climate crisis, but Black, brown, Indigenous, and other racialized communities face specific barriers that exacerbate the impact of climate change—like a lack of access to clean drinking water in Flint, Michigan, where over 56% of the population is Black, or the chemical pollutants in the Houston Ship Channel that endanger the lives of low-income Black and brown residents in Texas. in Texas. 

Seeking asylum is a human right. This means everyone should be allowed to enter another country to seek asylum. And when the United States enacts policies that try to block asylum seekers or to make immigration harder, it impacts all people seeking asylum.  Yet Black, brown, and Indigenous people seeking safety face heightened cruelty in an already cruel system—and anti-Black immigration policies have resulted in torture and other ill-treatment, particularly of Black Haitian asylum seekers.  

All people have the right to live free from violence, yet gun violence disproportionately affects communities of color, as does U.S. government inaction to adopt gun control and safety measures. 

Racial justice work is work that is inherently cross-cutting and all our human rights work must be, too. 

What is the solution? 

We must work towards systemic change and solutions in targeting the root causes of oppression based on race as they intersect with, among other things, patriarchy, colonialism, slavery, and economic inequality. We work to: 

• Address the historical barriers to racial justice at the federal and state level around economic justice and the rights to those things needed not only to survive, but to thrive and participate fully in society. 
• Reform the criminal legal system to lessen the expansive reach of the prison industry and its disproportionate impact on Black and brown communities. 
• Create systemic reform of the U.S. system of policing so we can root out racism and stop human rights violations. 

People who are historically and systematically discriminated against must enjoy equality in law and practice.  

Governments around the world, including here in the United States, must ensure justice and redress for racial injustice—including through the removal of racist laws, policies, and practices—and guarantee equality in access to economic, social and cultural rights. Governments must take measures to end the over-policing and overcriminalization of discriminated people and communities and aim for substantive equality between individuals and communities.