House Select Committee on Racial Justice , CD3 DFL

House Select Committee on Racial Justice issues new report with recommendations to dismantle systemic racism

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Tuesday, the House Select Committee on Racial Justice adopted a new report chronicling persistent racial disparities and detailing specific policies to dismantle systemic racism in Minnesota. Click here to download a copy.

“I’m proud of the Select Committee’s hard work this year to help Minnesotans understand the historical context behind systemic racism, and to give the unacceptable racial disparities throughout the state the attention they deserve,” said co-chair Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul). “Now, it’s time for the rest of the Legislature to follow through on these important recommendations to help Black, Indigenous, and People of Color live healthy, safe, and prosperous lives full of opportunity to reach their full potential.”

The Select Committee’s policy recommendations address intentional and unintentional systemic disparities and inequities based on race. The recommendations – which cover topics including economic development, housing, education, public safety, health and human services, and environmental justice – have the goal of expanding access to the opportunity to build a prosperous state for all Minnesotans.

Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice discusses economic impact of systemic racism, concludes weekly series of hearings

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Members of the Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice met today for a hearing devoted to the economic impact of systemic racism. Minnesotans can watch video of the entire conversation here beginning later today.

“Systemic racism is expensive and it leads to a less prosperous country and a less prosperous Minnesota,” said committee co-chair Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL – Mendota Heights). “Through a series of weekly hearings, we’ve set the groundwork for compiling bold recommendations and I’m grateful to everyone who participated in the process thus far, especially those closest to the real pain associated with these issues.”

Legislators began the meeting by watching an excerpt of the tpt documentary “Jim Crow of the North” followed by a presentation and Q&A withDr. Bruce Corrie of Concordia St. Paul. Committee members also received a new report published September 2020 entitled “Closing the Racial Inequality Gaps: The Economic Cost of Black Inequality in the U.S.” The report, led by Citi, found that failure to address racial gaps between Blacks and whites in areas that include wages, housing, education, and business investment has cost the U.S. economy $16 trillion and 6.1 million jobs over the last 20 years.

“There is a cost associated with Economic racism. Minnesota continues to experience unacceptable economic disparities which impact employment, entrepreneurship, starting a small business or promoting fair living practices,” said Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), co-chair of the Select Committee. “We all must come together to work with diverse communities and the public and private sectors as a solution to eliminate disparities and create pathways for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color so that every Minnesotan can live up to their fullest potential.”

Today marked the final in a series of weekly hearings that began on September 22, 2020. Public comments and recommendations are still being accepted by the committee through Sunday, October 27, 2020. The focus will now turn to compiling a set of recommendations based on the expert testimony, public comments, and information gathered over the course of five hearings in order to put forth a slate of recommendations to be considered by the committee.

“It’s clear that inequities are holding back Minnesotans of color and hurting our state,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “We have to work together to eliminate these gaps and ensure all Minnesotans can build the futures they want for themselves and their families, no exceptions.”

The Select Committee on Racial Justice was established as part of a July 11 Minnesota House resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. A list of select committee members is available here. Minnesotans can submit public comments and recommendations through October 27, 2020 by contacting committee administrator Laura Taken-Holtze at Laura.Taken-Holtze@house.mn.

House Select Committee on Racial Justice Devotes Hearing to Public Testimony

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice Monday dedicated three hours to gathering testimony from members of the public. During the hearing, Minnesotans shared a wide variety of ways systemic racism has impacted them relating to education, health care, economic opportunities, public safety systems, and more.

“Even after spending most of an afternoon hearing from people, we barely scratched the surface about how racism continues to affect Minnesotans in unacceptable ways,” said Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), co-chair of the Select Committee. “I thank everyone who took time to share their experiences with us and their ideas for changes to improve opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.”

Sixty individuals signed up to testify before the committee, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Testifiers shared examples of health care disparities, including chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, pregnancy outcomes, and big tobacco’s targeting of flavored products – menthol as an example – to people of color. Several testifiers recommended solutions to improve education opportunities and child development, including recruiting and retaining teachers of color, college savings plans, and elimination of discipline policies that disproportionately impact students of color, resulting in the “school to prison pipeline.” Economic concerns addressed by testifiers included housing insecurity and long-term homelessness, a lack of generational wealth, and pay equity. There were also calls for continued criminal justice reform initiatives following the killing of George Floyd and support for victims of racially motivated crimes.

“The select committee’s latest hearing was of significant importance because it was devoted to collecting public testimony,” said co-chair Rep. Ruth Richardson. “We’re creating a new and long overdue space at the Legislature where Minnesotans including those closest to the pain can share their stories, perspectives, and ideas for how we reckon with systemic racism in our state.”

The Select Committee on Racial Justice was established as part of a July 11 Minnesota House resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. The Select Committee is charged with analyzing legislative efforts through an intersectional race and equity lens. A list of members is available here.

“I’m grateful to the members of the public who took time to share their testimony with the committee today,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Public participation in this conversation is essential. The voices of those most impacted by systemic racism need to be at the center of our efforts to build a Minnesota that works better for everyone.”

Video of the hearing can be accessed on House Public Information Services’YouTube channel. Previously, the committee held hearings on health mortality and morbidity, adverse childhood experiences, historical trauma, and answering the question “what is racism?” The Select Committee’s next hearing will be on Tuesday, October 20 at 1 p.m. to discuss the economic costs of racism.

House Select Committee on Racial Justice explores Adverse Childhood Experiences

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – In its second meeting today, the Minnesota House Select Committee on Racial Justice discussed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and how trauma and adversity intersect with racism and inequities. The committee learned about how parents, families, and communities often encounter adverse experiences and environments, which affect child development and often present other negative lifelong impacts.

“Every child deserves a healthy, prosperous future, but many of the adverse experiences they face are directly due to inequitable environments that have flourished for generations,” said Rep. Rena Moran (DFL – Saint Paul), co-chair of the committee. “We must all work together to invest in community resiliency as part of our broader goals to break down racist structures and eliminate inequities.”

Adverse childhood experiences – which lead to poor health and economic outcomes – can be traced to institutional racism. For example, childhood trauma such as abuse and neglect or parental substance abuse often occur within inequitable community environments such as those with high concentrations of poverty, violence, or poor housing conditions. The result of long-standing public policies, including inequitable education funding, criminal justice enforcement and incarceration, and discriminatory lending practices can explain the racial and economic disparities we still see today.

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