Responding to Systemic Inequities and Racism in a Time of Crisis
A special edition of our It’s Time to Act! series, this virtual event will increase awareness and understanding of the systemic inequities and racism that exist, and how crises like COVID-19 amplify the discrimination we already see in our community. Through virtual conversation and guided action planning, participants will identify how we can leverage public policy to advance equity now and build equitable systems to sustain us into the future.
We will feature a pre-recorded conversation with Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. Do you have a question you’d like to have us ask the Lieutenant Governor? Send it to racjust@ywcampls.org – we’ll be able to include a few!
Date: Thursday, April 23
Time: 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Presenter: Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan
About the Presenter
Peggy Flanagan is a mom, member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and Minnesota’s 50th Lieutenant Governor. Her career is built on standing up for children, families, communities of color, Native communities, and low-income and working folks.
A St. Louis Park native, Peggy attended St. Louis Park Public Schools and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Child Psychology and American Indian Studies. She first ran for political office in 2004 and won a seat on the Minneapolis School Board. Peggy also worked for nearly a decade at Wellstone Action, where she trained tens of thousands of activists, community advocates, and elected officials and candidates – including future Governor Tim Walz.
Later, she was Executive Director of Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota, a non-profit child-advocacy organization working to level the playing field for all Minnesota children. Peggy was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2015, where she served as the DFL lead on the Subcommittee on Child Care Access and Affordability and joined with other DFL legislators to form the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) caucus to improve opportunities for people of color and Indigenous communities across the state.
Peggy brings this lifelong experience of building coalitions and advocating for children and families to the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, as she works in close partnership with Governor Tim Walz to build One Minnesota.
Action Planning
It’s Time to Act! is about taking action. Click to download an Action Planning Template to use during the event.
Resources for Action Steps
2020 Census
- Take the Census
- Census dot map
- Race & ethnicity language on the history of the Census
- 2020 Census community themes
Find/contact your elected officials
Minnesota Secretary of State’s website
Supporting essential workers
Redistributing part or all of your stimulus check
- Mutual Aid Guide
- Restaurant Opportunity Centers United support
- Relief Funds for Food Service Workers
Mental Health Resources
Convene a book/e-book/podcast/documentary group about systemic oppression
Suggestions for resources:
Learn about existing pillars of structural racism
- Racism and Covid-19 Are a Lethal Combination
- Black Americans & Social Distancing
- Mapping Prejudice
- Imagining Alternatives
Other mentioned & related resources
About YWCA Minneapolis Racial Justice & Public Policy
Since 1891, YWCA Minneapolis has been living our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. As a leader in the field of racial equity, we empower communities and workplaces to stand against racism, embrace new perspectives and promote justice for all people.