21-day challenge aids anti-racism push
Program offers education tools, suggested actions
For people who want to learn how to become an anti-racist but aren’t sure where to start, YWCA Columbus is offering a simple solution.
On Monday, the YWCA kicks off its first 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge, a program in which participants will receive daily emails that contain a selection of readings, podcasts, videos, reflections or suggested actions.
The program is free, but registration is required to receive the emails, which will be sent on weekdays only through March 29. The emphasis is to provide easily digestible options, though some more-involved activities will be included as well.
“This is a bite-sized way to access and absorb information,” said Jillian Olinger, chief mission officer for YWCA Columbus. “We want to meet people where they are, and we understand schedules are busy. At the same time, you can go as deep as you want on any given day.”
This is the first year the YWCA Columbus is offering the program, which was founded in 2014 by two educators and authors, Eddie Moore Jr. and Debby Irving. Soon after, it began to be implemented by groups across the country.
According to the YWCA, more than 30,000 people nationwide participated last year.
It made sense for YWCA Columbus to offer it, Olinger said, because part of the organization’s mission – incorporated into its logo – is to eliminate racism and also because the group has received many requests from community groups for anti-racism resources in recent months.
“We just really want to see individuals find that courage to intentionally be anti-racist and take action,” Olinger said. “But first you have to learn, and then if you know better, you can do better.”
The four major themes this year are reparations, sports, gender-based violence and environmental racism.
Moore and Irving chose 21 days, Olinger said, because research shows that it takes 21 days to learn a new habit, or unlearn an old habit.
Kyle Strickland, senior legal analyst at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State University and deputy director of race and democracy at the Roosevelt Institute, a progressive think tank and nonprofit partner to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library, called the idea for the challenge here “interesting.”
“It’s another motivational way to get yourself on track. In terms of research, or evidence that it leads to change, that is a whole other issue, but what it does lead to is awareness,” Strickland said.
Olinger said more than 1,100 people have registered for the YWCA program, and people can register at any point through the challenge. There also is an option to donate to the YWCA’S racial justice and racial equity programming ($21 for 21 days is one suggestion).
Both Olinger and Strickland emphasized that programs such as the 21day challenge are meant to be a starting point.
“What you can’t do is say, ‘Oh, I did my 21 days and now I get it,’ ” Strickland said.
“You have to encourage others to take up the challenge, and to know that this work goes on beyond 21 days.”
To register for the 21-Day Racial Equity & Social Justice Challenge, go to bit.ly/3j1an6g.