Disparities In MN - It is Real
Ellie Krug, author of "Getting to Ellen: A Memoir about Love, Honesty and Gender Change (2013)" shared with Rotarians some very uncomfortable facts about the disparities between white colored people and people of color. To prove her point, she started with drawing our attention to "The Look" that many POC receive. She is a transgender woman who looks very much like a white woman but has the voice "of a dude." She is very well acquainted with "the Look" and put out to attendees to ask themselves why we prefer white colored skin?"Prejudice" - a brain based pre-judgement
"Discrimination" - Actions based on prejudice
"Race and Racism" - There is only one "race" - the human race. The concept of race goes back 500-600 years ago when White Christians came up with the concept that people with other colors were less worthy (as a way to justify slavery as well). "ISM" creates actions against/or to keep a group of people based on color less equal.
"Structural Racism" - This is baked into an organization (i.e. Redlining)
"White Fragility" - Being unable to talk about color constructs
"Disparities" - Looking at stats gives a good idea of just where disparities are. Ellie shared stats from MN.Gov.Demographics: Below are some stats:
Reading Comprehension at the 3rd grade level: 2/3 of White people of color: 1/3 Black people of color
Graduation Rate: 88% White people of color: 67% Black people of color (We are the worst state in the USA)
College Graduates: 67% White people of color: 35% People of color: 27% Latina/x
Below are links to educational documents that Ellie shared and encouraged us all to look at. If you would like to reach out to Ellie directly, her email is elliejkrug@gmail.com