This April, be a part of a transformative journey towards racial justice and equity with the 2024 Until Justice Just Is Racial Justice Challenge. The theme for this year’s challenge is Building Bridges to Equity. From April 1st to April 30th, you are invited to engage in a powerful month-long challenge designed to confront and dismantle systemic barriers, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
The challenge urges individuals from all walks of life to come together and learn about the systemic challenges facing communities of color and take concrete steps towards creating lasting change. Available Monday through Friday, there is a variety of articles, podcast sessions, and other educational content. There is a depth of knowledge to be gained and shared.
Each week of the challenge is dedicated to a specific theme, allowing participants to explore various dimensions of racial justice deeply and thoughtfully.
Week 1: Bodily Autonomy
Explore the critical issue of bodily autonomy, understand how racial inequities impact individuals’ rights and access to healthcare and personal freedom. This week aims to illuminate the struggles and advocate for the rights of communities of color in making informed decisions about their bodies and health. Themes for week one include: Medical Abuse/Informed Consent, Race and Anit-Fatness, Reproductive Rights, Personal expression through hair, and Trans Healthcare.
Week 2: Financial Empowerment and Caregiving
Dive into the challenges of financial empowerment faced by women. This week’s focus is to shed light on systemic barriers that hinder financial independence for women and communities of color. Themes for week two include: History of women in the workplace and women’s financial independence, pay gap and unpaid labor, entrepreneurship, financial abuse, and financial literacy.
Week 3: Gun Violence
This week’s challenge tackles the issue of gun violence, a crisis that disproportionately impacts the lives of communities of color. Themes for week three include: 2nd amendment: history of gun ownership in the U.S from the colonial era – today, Suicide, Guns and Intimate Partner Violence, Impact of Gun Violence on Communities of Color, and White Supremacy. Week three topics include several trigger warnings suggesting participants consider their own well-being before engaging with the material.
Week 4: Transportation
Conclude the month by examining how access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation is necessary for an equitable society. Themes for week four include: History of Discrimination in Transportation, Thinking Beyond Cars, Transportation, Gender, and Sexuality, Racial bias and Traffic Enforcement, and Creating Equity.
Why Participate?
Participating in the Until Justice Just Is Racial Justice challenge is an opportunity to be part of something larger than ourselves-a collective effort to foster understanding, empathy, and action towards racial justice. By engaging with the campaign’s content, you’re not just learning; you’re contributing to a movement for change, equipped to advocate for policies and practices that promote equity and justice.
How to Get Involved
Getting involved is straightforward and impactful! You can find the National Racial Justice Challenge by clicking here. When you follow the registration link you will be prompted to create an account with the YWCA USA. After creating an account, you will be directed to register for the challenge. Each weekday during the event new material is posted on the website.
Be the Change
By participating in the YWCA USA Racial Justice Challenge you, you join a community committed to dismantling systemic barriers and building bridges to equity. Your voice, your participation, and your commitment to justice can make a difference.
#UntilJusticeJustIs #UJJI #YWCARacialJusticeChallenge
-Brenda, YWCA Northwestern Illinois CCAP Health & Safety Coach/Team Leader
