When we named racial equity as a priority in our strategic plan, we also named it a value to start our own internal learning journey as an organization and as individuals. Starting in 2019, each month, we feature a "What We're Reading" section in our Member News that highlights what people in the Funders Together network are reading to expand their understanding of racial equity. This page is an archive of past articles, blog posts, and books that were featured in past editions of the FTEH Member News. We hope this will spur inspiration for your personal or organizational racial equity work and that you'll learn alongside us.

What We're Reading in: 2021 | 2020 | 2019

2023

What We're Reading: The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein

Who's Reading It: Jack Zhang, Programs and Communications Manager, Funders Together to End Homelessness

It is no secret that the lasting impacts of race-based discrimination and decades of segregation linger to this day. It is this intentionality in the ways that it has been integrated into our society, laws, and customs that Richard Rothstein explores in his book, The Color of Law.

The book begins with the chapter “If in San Francisco, then everywhere?” to explore how in seemingly progressive cities, government institutions and laws were systematically weaponized to implement segregation. Moreover, the book details how, even when segregation was “formally” outlawed, the impacts of racism continued through the use of single-family zoning, racially restrictive covenants, FHA discrimination towards Black neighborhoods, and more. It is these policies that resulted in concentrations of disparities, marginalization, and racially divided neighborhoods that persist to this day. 

Coming off of the Funders Forum in Oakland and Black History Month, I am reminded of the importance of understanding the past, especially the parts many in our country prefer not to talk about, for us to move forward with our mission of achieving housing and racial justice. In order to truly live into our values, we must prioritize racial justice to rectify our past and envision a more liberated society and a more just future.

What We're Reading: Defund the Police for Funders by Solidaire Network

Who's Reading It: Molly Schultz Hafid, Executive Director, Butler Family Fund

The Butler Family Fund funds the intersection of housing justice and criminal legal system reform by supporting our partners who are reducing public funding for our broken criminal legal system and reallocate resources towards safe affordable housing and other community-identified needs. We are always looking for community-centered resources to inspire thoughtful conversations between our staff and Board about “Defund the Police” and the ongoing Divest/Invest campaigns.

A recent publication we have found to be tremendously helpful and informative is the Defund the Police for Funders guide produced by the Solidaire Network. The guide was created to help their members learn more about divesting from over-policing and supporting community-identified alternatives. We decided to use it as a board education tool and included excerpts in our most recent Board packet.

“Defund the Police” is used by many of our grantees. Unfortunately, opponents of criminal legal reform have used the slogan to scare the public to resist changes to the current ineffective, racist, and bloated criminal legal system. The guide explains why this call to action emerged, what it means, examples of how communities have been successful, inspiration for alternatives to policing, and suggestions for how to have these conversations with our colleagues, peers, and families. It also concludes with an incredible collection of resources and organizations for continued learning and/or grantmaking.