Business Case for Racial Equity
Equity is defined as having the ability to make choices about one’s future. For the next generation, that means gaining awareness of potential career options, having the freedom to pursue career pathways, and receiving the support of a system designed to help youth achieve their goals.
The opportunity to choose does not exist for all minority and female youth. Stereotypes and misperceptions, systemic and policy barriers, a history of racism and disenfranchisement, psychological barriers and unconscious bias, and a lack of inclusion stand in their way.
Our national demography is moving from Generation X to the Millenials and now to Generation Z. The minority population in the U.S. is also growing. With this change, younger generations are expecting opportunities and right to choose, and believe that discrimination is not as great a factor in their age groups. A barrier to their progress seems to be the inequities perpetuated by older generations of Americans.
The risks in not combating inequity affect employers and our national economic health. Organizations seeking to harness the full capabilities of our diverse population and driving to maintain global and domestic competitiveness are stifled by cultural and systemic barriers that limit citizens’ individualgrowth. Individual prosperity affects their personal well-being and that of families and children. The presence of inequities threatens to limit our national and potential, and repeat cycles that inflict harm.
Intersection Ideagen
12 Magazine / October 2014