NYC Racial Justice Commission releases first report to combat systemic racism

The New York City Racial Justice Commission

The New York City Racial Justice Commission’s (RJC) first report reveals inequities in social services, resources, economic opportunity, and other areas that perpetuate systemic racism against communities of color across the city.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The New York City Racial Justice Commission’s (RJC) first report identifies inequities in social services, resources, economic opportunity, and other areas that perpetuate systemic racism against communities of color across the city.

The commission, which was compiled by Mayor Bill de Blasio in the spring, was tasked with identifying how systemic racism manifests in the city government.

Ultimately, the commission’s goal is to increase equity among different racial groups by changing city laws that uphold and enable systemic racism and other identity-based systemic discrimination.

“With the release of NYC for Racial Justice, from the Racial Justice Commission staff, New York City is taking a giant step forward in naming and dismantling structural racism,” said Jennifer Jones Austin, chair of the NYC Racial Justice Commission.

“I am enormously grateful to the many residents who shared their personal stories, challenges, and ideas for creating a more equitable New York City. This staff report is based on thousands of minutes of testimony from a diverse array of New Yorkers from every borough. It is also a formal public acknowledgment that many of the laws, policies, and practices that govern our city are rooted in racism that has harmed too many for too long. I want to thank the commission staff for their hard work and dedication,” she added.

Commission staff identified six patterns of inequity from public input that present systemic barriers to power, access, and opportunity for New Yorkers, particularly those who are Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, or other Persons of Color.

Based on input and testimonies gathered from nine public input sessions, 50 one-on-one interviews with community-based organizations, and more than 1,100 online submissions of input, the RJC identified six patterns of inequity in their report.

“This report is a synthesis of a citywide public input process, which is the foundation of our work as commissioners,” said added Henry A. Garrido, vice-chair of the NYC Racial Justice Commission. “Communities know what they need, and our job is to listen and translate their concerns into recommendations for structural change that are actionable and increase accountability. I am deeply honored by the work that has been done and look forward to continuing it.”

INEQUITY IN SOCIAL SERVICES

According to the report, many New Yorkers testified about lack of quality education for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), a lack of affordable housing, scarce mental health services, and lack of support for early learning foundations.

Some of the testifiers pointed out that those services available are often inaccessible for BIPOC with obstacles, such as language barrier, not having the services most needed in their communities, or experiencing a lack of empathy or respect from staff providing the services.

Some speakers said that city agencies should be required to collect and report data showing the racial impact of their actions and practices, noting that racial equity work cannot be done without the appropriate data demonstrating the inequities.

‘UNDERINVESTMENT IN BIPOC COMMUNITIES’

The commission notes continuously hearing from New Yorkers about resources and social and environmental burdens not being distributed fairly across neighborhoods, reflecting an “underinvestment in BIPOC places and communities.”

Some speakers suggested that racial equity formally be a part of budget decision processes. They also said that decision-making around city planning, such as public land use, should prioritize racial justice and the potential impact on marginalized groups, including BIPOC and people with disabilities.

INEQUITY IN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Many New Yorkers emphasized the role of finances in systemic inequity.

“It is impossible to talk about racial equity without talking about money,” one panelist said in their testimony.

Some speakers said BIPOC and other marginalized communities are limited in economic mobility because the city’s system “was not designed to lift people out of pre-existing hardship; instead the system perpetuates social, educational and financial barriers,” the report says.

OVER-CRIMINALIZATION OF BIPOC

Many New Yorkers called for the city to redefine public safety rather than use police to solve issues that stem from a lack of resources and services in some BIPOC communities.

Speakers also suggested that restorative justice practices be incorporated into schools, as well as the criminal and juvenile justice systems.

INEQUITY IN REPRESENTATION AND DECISION-MAKING

A common theme throughout the input was the desire to empower BIPOC communities in the city’s decision-making. Some speakers asserted that the government inviting community advice was not enough, that community input should have more weight and influence in the fate of communities, for example, in public land use.

Many testimonies expressed feeling a lack of representation in decision-making roles, pointing out that a lack of BIPOC representation perpetuates not addressing issues in BIPOC communities.

ACCOUNTABILITY OF GOV. AGENCIES

New Yorkers discussed systemic discrimination against race as well as other identifiers, such as disability, gender, criminal history, and immigration status, noting that anti-discrimination laws do not mitigate discrimination at a systemic level.

“These laws rarely protect people without proof of someone’s intent to discriminate. However, systemic racism works by creating unfair outcomes even without any individual’s intention,” the commission says in the report.

Some of the speakers called for more transparency for when the city government receives public input in city planning, as well as how the input is factored into decisions made, and the reasoning for when the decisions disregard community concerns.

CHARTER REVISION PROPOSALS, RACIAL JUSTICE ROADMAP

The commission will present its charter revision proposals in December, which New Yorkers will vote on in the Nov. 2022 election.

In their report and media briefing the RJC emphasized that their proposals will not be “laser-focused“ on each idea or issue, but instead will address multiple issues simultaneously while getting to the root of the issues.

NEXT STEPS

The commission will host a second public engagement period with public input sessions throughout October and November. Click here for more information about upcoming events.

In December, the commission will release its final report, ballot proposals and racial justice roadmap.

The RJC will then spend the second half of its two-year mandate to run a voter education campaign leading up to the November 2022 election.

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