Equity and Social Justice

Similar to other urban areas across the nation, the gap between affluent and disadvantaged communities in King County remains wide and people of color are faring the worst. In King County, communities of color, low income communities and ethnic communities who may have limited English proficiency are more likely to experience racism, underemployment, low education, poor health outcomes, incarceration, and loss of opportunity. In addition, they are more likely to have unsafe living conditions with less access to public goods and services, resources, and life opportunities. The King County Equity and Social Justice Initiative examines the causes of racial disparities and inequities and works to create the conditions for all individuals and communities to reach their full potential.

Equity is defined as an equal opportunity for all people to attain their full potential.

Inequity refers to differences in well-being between and within communities that are systematic, patterned, unfair, and can be changed. They are not random, as they are caused by our past and current decisions, systems of power and privilege, policies and the implementation of those policies.

Social justice refers to all aspects of justice, including legal, political and economic. It demands fair distribution of public goods, institutional resources and life opportunities.

We define communities as a group of people who share some or all of the following: geographic boundaries, sense of membership, culture, language, common norms and interests.

While this is a complex issue without ready-made solutions, we must explore a full-range of strategies. Given the early stage of this initiative, preliminary indicators are shown. As the Initiative completes its strategic plan in 2009, the website will be updated with performance measures. For more information about King County's efforts to achieve equity and social justice: http://www.kingcounty.gov/exec/equity.aspx