Racial and Ethnic Equity
Because we understand that racial disparities—which are often the unintended result of public policies and structures—overlay all of our issue areas, we consciously undertake efforts that neutralize racially inequitable impacts. Although race is a social construct with no scientific basis, personal biases and discriminatory practices have led to disparities along racial and ethnic lines. Just as wealthy families hand down their advantages to future generations, racial/ethnic disparities have impeded generation upon generation, and continue to do so.
Featured Content
Eligible but Excluded: How Systemic Inequities in Language Access are Impacting Asian, Pacific Islander, and African Immigrant and Refugee Communities During the Pandemic
A follow-up to our Essential but Excluded report, this looks at how Asian/Pacific Islander and African immigrants and refugees are unable to access public benefits for which they are eligible – and not just during the pandemic – due to a pervasive lack of language access at many state agencies. This, despite federal laws requiring such access.
Strengthening All Communities for a Brighter Future
New Mexico is strongest and our future is brightest when everyone is able to make their unique contributions to our communities and the state. Yet, so many of our immigrant friends and neighbors are being held back by public policies that ignore or punish them. This report looks at how immigrant-inclusive legislation would improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans.
Tax Policy: A Powerful Tool to Advance Racial Equity in New Mexico
Systemic racism isn’t accidental – it’s the result of public policies that benefit one group while disadvantaging others. Our state and national tax systems have been built to benefit those at the top (who are mostly white) while disadvantaging people of color. This report looks at concrete ways New Mexico can make our tax system more equitable.
Recent Publications
Ending Childhood Food Insecurity in New Mexico
Report New Mexico's childhood food insecurity rate has long been at or near the highest in the nation. The pandemic and resulting recession only made it worse. This updated report looks at why food insecurity is such a problem in New Mexico, how it impacts children and families, and what the state can do about it. (State- and county-level data on food and economic insecurity)
Eligible but Excluded
Report A follow-up to our Essential but Excluded report, this looks at how Asian/Pacific Islander and African immigrants and refugees are unable to access public benefits for which they are eligible - and not just during the pandemic - due to a pervasive lack of language access at many state agencies. This, despite federal laws requiring such access.
Recent Blog Posts
The HB 291 tax package will make our tax system more racially equitable
Like other public policy, tax policy can either advance or hinder racial and ethnic equity. It is never race-neutral. As the legislative session enters its final week, one important tax bill - HB 291 - is still being debated. There are numerous reasons to support (it raises revenue and makes our tax system more stable, among others), but one reason has particular meaning in a state where people of color comprise the majority of the population. This blog explains.
How the Affordable Care Act has helped make New Mexico families healthier (part 2)
Since it was implemented in 2010, the ACA has faced strong opposition from Republicans. Although attempts to repeal the ACA have been unsuccessful, the Trump Administration has been highly effective at weakening the ACA by undermining its provisions. This includes making it more difficult to enroll in coverage by adding more administrative hurdles for eligibility and cutting the budget for outreach and enrollment.
Recent News Coverage
Unable to get assistance: What happens to New Mexicans who speak lesser used languages
A recent New Mexico Voices for Children report, Eligible but Excluded, said that federal law requires state agencies to provide “meaningful access” to people who speak languages other than English but many state agencies in New Mexico have no plans in place to improve language access. This makes breaking a system of economic hardship difficult and is inequitable, the report states.
Some don’t know what they’ll do when federal unemployment assistance ends Sept. 4
“I think that the level of which people are being impacted by the pandemic is clearly not equal across genders, not equal across income spectrums, not equal across race or ethnicities. Because of that, we know women of color and women generally have been harmed more.”
Resources
We led an initiative called Race Matters in 2006 with funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The materials they developed for this work are still available on their website.