LIHU‘E — This year, the YWCA will be investigating critical race theory, living wage, representation in film and television, and reproductive justice through its Stand Against Racism Challenge, according to a release.
Participants who sign up for the challenge will receive daily emails with links to articles, videos, podcasts, etc., relating to the social- and racial-justice topic of the week.
“When you look deeper into issues such as health and income disparities, our state has some of the same racial inequities we may think are just on the mainland,” YWCA Kaua‘i Executive Director Renae Hamilton-Cambeilh said.
“By addressing the root causes, we can take action to make amends for the harm done and end these blatant inequities. The passion and commitment of youth to be active participants in ending racial injustice brings me hope and continues to inspire everyone to keep working for equality and justice for all people.”
The SAR Challenge registration went live in mid-February, and the challenge will begin April 4 and continue weekdays through May 2.
Now more than ever, it is important for everyone to be open to a dialogue to better understand these complex racial- and social-justice issues that have been gripping the country, she said.
Whether this is a first move towards racial equity or an expert on the subject, this challenge will increase knowledge to create self and community change.
Through the Stand Against Racism Challenge, participants may become better prepared to develop social awareness and empathy which are vital for people to build social connections with others, she continued.
Participation in an activity like this helps participants discover how racial and social injustice impact their community, connect with one another and identify action steps to dismantle racism and other forms of discrimination. This is an opportunity to join a learning community dedicated to racial equity and social justice.
To explore how the topics in this year’s challenge affect local ‘ohana, the YWCA has incorporated content and resources specifically highlighting unique issues and perspectives in Hawai‘i. Since the challenge first began in 2019, over 30,000 participants from 48 states have taken the challenge.
This year, 65 YWCAs across the country are working together to provide a brave space for conversation. Participation is free, open to all, and recommended for ages 18 and older.
• Info: bit.ly/2022ywcachallenge
