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Dear John,
Race Forward congratulates the Biden Administration on the issue of its
second historic Executive Order mandating racial equity across policy
and practice within the federal government, Further Advancing Racial
Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal
Government
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.
significance of this
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Executive Order
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cannot be overstated as it is the first time in our nation's history we
have a formal, sustained commitment to institutionalize racial equity at
the national level . The order recognizes that this work is a
multigenerational commitment to the American people.
"As an organization that has been working to advance racial equity in
our policies and institutions for more than 40 years, we commend the
Biden Administration on this second commitment to embed racial equity
within the federal government," said Glenn Harris, President of Race
Forward
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. "This Executive Order will operationalize racial equity in federal
policies and practices, resulting in significantly improved outcomes for
all communities, and particularly communities of color, in this nation."
We applaud the steadfast commitment of the Biden Administration as
demonstrated by this Executive Order. For two years, the Administration
has taken these steps in the face of backlash against progress for
racial justice, white nationalists violence, and political assaults. It
is fitting that this order was issued during Black History month at the
very moment extremist Governors are seeking to prevent even the teaching
of Black History
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. The attacks on Black History are a bellwether for ongoing assaults on
our collective history across communities.
The Executive Order calls for a sustained commitment—human and economic
resources—to racial equity work, accurate data for government decisions,
increased investment in small, disadvantaged businesses in underserved
communities, and consulting impacted communities in developing solutions
to inequity. It also recognizes that racial inequity is interlinked with
inequity based on gender, disability, environmental injustice and more.
"By issuing this second Executive Order, the Biden Administration is
doubling-down and sending a clear signal that racial equity is a
priority." said Carlton Eley, Senior Director of Federal Strategies at
Race Forward
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. "Equally important, the Administration is demonstrating that racial
equity is imperative for our country to move forward as a strong
nation."
As the home of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)
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, we are keenly aware that this historic order emerges from almost 20
years of work by local governments in cities and counties across the
country.
"When we started GARE we realized the potential for government to lead
on racial equity and ensure all residents have opportunities to achieve
successful outcomes," said Julie Nelson, Senior Vice President of
Programs at Race Forward
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and Co-founder of GARE. "As we have been gathering momentum at the local
level, we have also begun to experience pushback from extremists. It is
reassuring to see the federal government take on this charge to sustain
and further the gains that have been made in many local jurisdictions
across this country."
Our dedication to racial equity work is rooted in the belief that racial
equity work improves outcomes not only for communities of color, but for
all communities, and it strengthens our systems for all by transforming
how government operates. This, in turn, creates the foundation for the
multiracial democracy we need for all neighborhoods and communities to
thrive.
In Solidarity,
The Race Forward Team
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