In the midst of right-wing political opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies nationwide, Seattle marks a significant milestone: the first anniversary of its Race and Social Justice Initiative ordinance.
Enacted in April 2023, this ordinance places the initiative under the Seattle Office of Civil Rights and mandates all city departments to work towards ending institutional racism. Institutional racism is defined as policies, practices, and culture that favor white people and harm people of color, often unintentionally.
The ordinance specifically addresses the racial inequities prevalent in Seattle, where a 2021 analysis by Prosperity Now revealed significant disparities in median household income: white households ($96,333) earned 1.5 times more than Asian households ($77,470), three times more than Black households ($39,936), and almost three times more than Native American households ($31,519).
Seattle stands out for adopting a citywide ordinance to combat institutional racism, while other cities have focused on equity-focused policies for specific programs. According to urban policy scholars, Seattle’s ordinance provides crucial insights for other cities aiming to create more equitable environments.
Seattle’s persistent racial wealth and income gap, impacting housing, health, education, and other aspects of daily life, prompted the launch of the Race and Social Justice Initiative 20 years ago. The initiative has made significant progress through professional development trainings, ensuring that city employees understand the effects of racism on city government.
The initiative also includes step-by-step guides on implementing racial equity, such as a two-question budget filter to assess whether budget items reduce race-based disparities. The Racial Equity Toolkit further supports decision-making across city government, from school lunches to vehicle maintenance repairs.
Despite some resistance and criticism, Seattle officials have built capacity for social transformation through a sustained commitment to creating a culture of equity. This has made it an integral part of city government, with ending institutional racism becoming part of every employee’s job.
While it’s too early to fully evaluate the ordinance’s impact, its adoption demonstrates a commitment to racial justice among city employees. Seattle’s experience highlights the need for enduring, long-term commitments to racial equity laws.
To replicate Seattle’s success, cities should:
1. Provide robust professional development to create shared understanding of racism and its impact on work.
2. Develop clear processes for enacting change, such as racial equity toolkits, to ensure equity is central to decision-making.
3. Recognize that institutional change takes time and start with small, locally-relevant steps to build a foundation for further progress.
4. Avoid blindly copying Seattle’s approach and instead adapt it to the local context of racial and social justice.
By fostering a strong institutional commitment to racial justice, cities can create more equitable approaches to urban governance and build a more just future for all.
