One of Tides’ fiscally sponsored projects, Leadership Learning Community , just released a report that is relevant to those of us in the nonprofit sector and beyond. The report presents key methods and recommendations on how leadership programs can help solve racial inequalities in communities across the country.
On its face it seems so sane and simple: a new Arizona law that "requires local police to enforce federal immigration regulations." What is wrong with that? Enforcing existing regulations is a good thing, right? Except that it is not for the states to enforce federal regulations. So what are the federal regulations in question? What is the purpose of immigration policy? And what is the issue Arizona is actually trying to address with its state law?
I have spent no small amount of time over the last few weeks trying to wrap my head around these questions. You see, I was raised in an America of opportunity, the land of Lady Liberty who welcomes the huddled masses. We are a nation of immigrants–interlopers who were not invited, but dared to imagine a better life for ourselves and our children. What I've discovered is that we come at this debate from so many perspectives with as many legitimate concerns as fear-based reactions.
As Sam Seaborn of The West Wing White House said, "It’s not glamorous but the Census has to be taken seriously." While many of our nonprofit colleagues understand why the Census is so important, it often needs to be explained to our constituents and the people we represent. Many Americans think of the Census as just another way for the government to invade our privacy. Engaged citizens may want the Census's promise of better representation at the government level, but we also may think it is inaccurately measured. And, nonprofit leaders may see it as something the government should solely manage.
Photo by Damon Winter/The New York Times
The New York Times reported on December 1 (2009) that even educated blacks may suffer racial discrimination in the job market. Although the article focuses on the job market, it just as easily could have been about the credit market, the housing market or any of the various other markets and institutions in our...
The Tides mission is to partner with philanthropists, foundations, activists, and organizations across the country and around the globe to promote economic justice, robust democratic processes, and the opportunity to live in a healthy and sustainable environment where human rights are preserved and protected.
