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13 <br /> According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, there is a well-documented empathy gap in how <br /> Americans commonly perceive young men of color and the barriers they face. Through their research, <br /> they found that Americans generally see young men of color as "others" or a "them," rather than as part <br /> of a greater "we." This attitude suggests that overall our society lacks empathy for young men of color. <br /> Shared identity helps to facilitate empathy, and race or ethnicity is one important shared identity. When <br /> that shared identity is absent, though, people make decisions with more judgment than empathy. <br /> Because biased messages about people of color permeate our media, culture, schools, and courts,we are <br /> all susceptible to implicit bias, and research has demonstrated this includes people of color themselves6. <br /> Systems contribute significantly to disparities, and Racial Equity Training for Orange County employers <br /> could: <br /> 1. Help prepare organizations to receive young men of color as viable contributors to the workforce and; <br /> 2. Help organizations examine institutional policies and procedures that could be contributing to poor <br /> outcomes for young men of color and develop a plan for change <br /> Racial Equity Training for young men of color could help them: <br /> 1. Understand how structural and institutionalized racism creates inequalities across all systems <br /> 2. Understand how internalized racial inferiority creates feelings of lowered self-esteem, lowered <br /> expectations, and limited potential for self <br /> 3. Develop strategies for healing and self-empowerment <br /> Strategy 2. Assist organizations in creating structures that will guide and sustain institutional efforts <br /> toward racial equity, including specific goals and an action plan. <br /> A comprehensive institutional analysis that includes periodic reflection and evaluation could help Orange <br /> County institutions change thinking, reduce disparities, and improve outcomes for all populations. <br /> .. a <br /> ,..o n c U s II�;.m <br /> Over the past decade there have been numerous reports sounding the alarm about the plight of boys and <br /> men of color. These reports have projected a clear message that greater efforts are needed to develop <br /> policies, programming, and community-based strategies to address the ever growing and alarming <br /> circumstance surrounding and impacting the lives of this community. It is our hope that the strategies <br /> presented in this report will help remove barriers and create the opportunities these vulnerable boys and <br /> men need to succeed. <br /> 6 Nosek, B.A., Mahzarin B.,&Greenwald,A.G.2002. Harvesting implicit group attitudes and beliefs from a <br /> demonstration website.Group Dynamics:Theory, Research, and Practice. 6:101-115. <br /> 11 <br />