The annual YWCA Stand Against Racism provides the opportunity for communities across the United States to find an issue or cause that inspires them to take a #StandAgainstRacism and to unite their voices to educate, advocate, and promote racial justice.
It is inarguable that structural racism plays a large role in determining the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, therefore affecting people’s access to quality housing, education, food, transportation, political power, and other social determinants of health. Understanding and addressing systemic racism from this public health perspective is crucial to eliminating racial and ethnic inequities, and to improving opportunity and well-being across communities. Through this lens comes this year’s theme, “From Declarations to Change: Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis.”
Community members are encouraged to join the YWCA For Stand Against Racism 2021 by signing their pledge, watching “Addressing Racism as a Public Health Crisis: a Conversation with Evonda Thomas-Smith,” and other action items that can all be found along with more information here.