On Tuesday, Governor Herbert and other community leaders gathered on the steps of the Utah Capitol to announce the creation and signing of the Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Racial tensions, protests and even riots have permeated 2020, sparked by the death of George Floyd In May. Utah had many protests up and down the state and may Utahns began to take a new look at race and racism in our state.
Hearkening back to the Declaration of Independence, the compact begins: We, the signers of the Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, affirm that all people are created equal under God. A racially equitable state requires us to act and create a society in which race and ethnicity do not determine or limit value, opportunity, and life outcomes.
We also affirm two key principles on which everyone can agree: That all Utahns must have a truly equal opportunity to prosper, and that economic inclusion is essential to creating these opportunities. (emphasis added)
The Compact addresses structural, systemic racism, defining it as the system of “ideas, beliefs, practices, structures and policies that give some people greater opportunity to be fully human and live a happier and healthier life than others.”
The Compact also commits to 5 specific anti-racist principles and actions:
- Acknowledgement and action – We acknowledge that racism exists, and our actions make a difference. We call out racism wherever we see it and take purposeful steps to stop it.
- Investment – We invest our time and resources to create greater opportunity for people of color. Eliminating racial and ethnic disparities requires our significant effort and investment.
- Public policies and listening – We advance solutions to racial ills by listening and creating policies that provide equal opportunity and access to education, employment, housing, and healthcare.
- Engagement – We engage to effect change. Broader engagement, equitable representation, and deeper connection across social, cultural, and racial lines will uphold the principle – “nothing about us, without us.”
- Movement, not a moment – Utahns unite behind a common goal to create equal opportunity. We affirm our commitment will not just be a passing moment, but a legacy movement of social, racial and economic justice.
The Compact has already been signed by many community leaders, including Governor Herbert, Governor-elect Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams, House Speaker Brad Wilson, Scott Anderson, Pamela Atkinson, Jackie Biskupski, Pastor France Davis, Darius Gray, Gail Miller, Steve Starks, Jeanetta Williams, Rabbi Avremi Zippel, Mormon Women for Ethical Government, LaVarr Webb and more.
To add your name to the list, click here. This is an effort we can all get behind.
