Reclaiming Equity

Guest Post – Jason Lacsamana, Director, Programs and Partnerships

In recent years, the conversation around equity, particularly racial equity, has taken center stage. As we navigate this landscape, it’s crucial to recognize that the term “equity” has, in many ways, been co-opted and diluted. Through our work at St. Joseph Fund, we see this moment as an opportunity to reclaim the word’s intended meaning and refocus our efforts on racial equity and justice.

The initial surge of enthusiasm for addressing racial equity in 2020 has waned. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason, some may have grown tired of these discussions, while others may have approached the issue performatively rather than with a genuine commitment to change. Resistance to continuing difficult conversations threatens the progress we’ve made.

In the healthcare sector, equity is often equated with expanding services. While increased access is important, it doesn’t address the root causes of health disparities. Equity in healthcare requires us to center racial justice in our approach. We must dig deeper to understand and address the historical and systemic factors that led to these disparities.

Equity is the cornerstone of our work at SJF, and personally, it’s the reason why I’m in this field. Our mission goes beyond providing supportive services. The heart of our work is love, healing, justice, and equity. With a comprehensive understanding of racial equity and the root causes of injustice, we can avoid perpetuating the very problems we aim to solve.

How We Commit to Advancing Equity

While we support communities throughout the Western U.S., one example of our work is our support of OC Grantmakers in Southern California. We were one of the lead organizers and investors in its equity report, An Equity Profile of Orange County: Summary, in 2019. This report kickstarted a deeper discussion on the meaning of equity in our area.

Building on this foundation, we were the main sponsors, along with the California Endowment, of Beyond Equity: Seeking Liberation, Autonomy, and Justice in Orange County. This follow-up study aimed to delve deeper, moving beyond demographics and statistics to understand the underlying causes of inequity. We looked to uncover the history, culture, practices, and laws that have led to the disparities we see today.

To truly address inequity, we must recognize its intentional nature. Disparities in homeownership rates, educational outcomes, and resource distribution are not accidental. They are rooted in historical injustices and discriminatory policies. Understanding the impact of redlining helps explain current neighborhood demographics and why specific communities lack access to resources.

Recognizing that reports alone are not enough, we’ve invested in the Beyond Equity Learning Series. This interactive program provides a platform for community voices to be heard and allows decision-makers in grantmaking and policy to gain a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.

Our goal is to nurture a more comprehensive understanding of equity that goes beyond surface-level solutions. By hearing diverse stories and perspectives, participants can make better-informed decisions that truly advance racial equity and justice.

Equity in the Future

This work is ongoing and evolving. We believe that a focus on equity and justice must be at the core of everything we do. Otherwise, we risk upholding the cycles of inequality we aim to break.

As we move forward, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote a deeper understanding of racial equity, foster meaningful conversations, and lead to actionable changes in our community. It’s only through this continued dedication and willingness to confront uncomfortable truths that we can hope to create truly equitable and just systems for all.