Racial and Ethnic Equity2021-08-20T09:06:43-06:00

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

How tax policies exacerbate racial and ethnic disparities

March 9th, 2023|

Fact Sheet Decades of structural racism – in everything from education to voting rights, home ownership, and even drug sentencing laws – have advantaged whites while disadvantaging people of color. This has led to huge gaps in income and wealth, and the state's tax system only makes them worse. (State-level data on income, wealth, and tax incidence by race and ethnicity.)

All publications

Recent Blog Posts

Historic tax bill would create economic opportunity

March 9th, 2023|

Santa Fe New Mexican--New Mexico’s greatest asset is its cultural, ethnic and racial diversity. Our people are the heart of our state, and now, our Legislature is recognizing that in a big way. It’s not an exaggeration to say the tax omnibus bill currently under consideration (House Bill 547) does more to improve economic opportunity and equity in our tax code than any legislation in our state’s history.

All blog posts

Recent News Coverage

Historic tax bill would create economic opportunity

March 9th, 2023|

Santa Fe New Mexican--New Mexico’s greatest asset is its cultural, ethnic and racial diversity. Our people are the heart of our state, and now, our Legislature is recognizing that in a big way. It’s not an exaggeration to say the tax omnibus bill currently under consideration (House Bill 547) does more to improve economic opportunity and equity in our tax code than any legislation in our state’s history.

Support children’s health through the Public Health and Climate Resiliency Act

February 1st, 2023|

Carlsbad Current-Argus--Children are especially vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, which include extreme heat, poor air quality, drought, flooding, and wildfires. However, this legislative session, lawmakers have the opportunity to protect New Mexicans from these threats to public health by passing the Public Health and Climate Resiliency Act.

All news coverage

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.

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