that of families and children. The presence of inequities threatens to limit our national and potential, and repeat cycles that inflict harm.
Changing the paradigms that perpetuate inequity requires understanding what changes need to be made, and then engaging in dialogue and collaboration. An outcome of the new paradigm is reshaping the pipeline that will advance the next generation from early childhood through education and onto prosperous career pathways. It also means examining ways to overcome inequities rooted in inaction, unconscious biases, race, gender, class, geographic segregation, and wealth.
In early childhood, basic human health is drastically important and our nation is failing to meet evenbasic standards of quality. Misguided policies and racially-biased infrastructure failures stand in the way of youth and young families. As an example, the infant mortality rate among African-American women in the U.S. is among the worst in the world due to the stress of racism.
Our educational systems demonstrate opportunities for the betterment of children and adult learners. The means to study STEM disciplines and learn about STEM careers should be available to all. Along withthis, affirmative action on college campuses is a way to expose pathways that may be unreachable for some. Investments in online education and massive online courses can expand access for some and benefits that would otherwise go unrealized. Corporations and employers have a role to play, too, exposing students to jobs available now and in the future, and working with education providers to build potential employees’ skills.
Reshaping the career pipeline and combating barriers that prevent potential employees and employers from reaching their potential requires an evaluation of practices that could bring larger segments of our population into the job market. The U.S. labor market makes 100 million hiring, firing and job change transactions per year. Better knowledge of job analytics could inform practices that help identify, nurture and retain talent. Components of improving the career pipeline include finding jobs for peoplewith criminal backgrounds, providing access to capital and other forms of support for those with entrepreneurial drive and ambition, and leveraging younger generations who are already tech-savvy and read to join the workforce.
Fostering career opportunities and challenging existing racial inequities demands tough dialogue about what matters most. This moves beyond a pursuit of corporate and personal wealth to focus on what is best for anyone impacted by inequity and how we can all benefit from equity. A piece of this is digging beyond cultural cues and information presented by the media to understand how and where systems and structure need to change in ways that engage stakeholders and inspire equity. This type of dialogue requires inclusivity, an examination of values, and a questioning of the status quo. It is a risk, however, that we must take in order to change paradigms and ensure equity for all as a basic human right.
Intersection Ideagen
13 Magazine / October 2014