"To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity."
- Donald A. Adams
Mission:
The purpose of Advocates for Equity is to address the unspeakable: class, economic and racial inequity. We exist to empower the underserved of Albuquerque, take the needs, wants and aspirations of their families and communities and put those issues on the tables of power.
Who We Are:
Advocates for Equity is an association of like-minded parents, students, teachers, clergy, professionals, day laborers and other concerned U.S. citizens living in Albuquerque, N.M., whose multi-ethnic and multilingual backgrounds span generations and economic statuses. We, as individuals and groups, have reached the same conclusion: for the betterment of our children and the city they live in, we must address the impact of institutional inequity.
What We Believe:
The underlying, fundamental problem in Albuquerque is institutional inequity, which plagues other American cities. This is an inequity of class, race and economics. Although countless studies have been done on these issues, there is paralytic fear in addressing them, which has led to a systemic lack of honest discourse. Inequity is a roadblock to educating children. That roadblock leads to an uninformed public and elected officials who are unwilling to open their eyes and ears to confront the issues. Now is the time.
“Equality:
- The quality or state of being equal. Synonym: same.”
“Equity:
- Justice according to natural law or right; specifically: freedom from bias of favoritism.
- Something that is equitable. Synonym: fair”
- Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
Approach:
Equity and Equality are not synonyms. Advocates for Equity is committed to an analysis of institutional inequity and an honest dialogue on correcting the systemic decay brought about by institutional inequity in our communities. We seek a multifaceted, inclusive dialogue. All members of the community are asked the same questions and have the same responsibilities.
We ask our elected officials and those seeking election:
- How are you going to address the institutionalized issues of class, race and economic inequity?
- How are you going to address the quality of education in the face of inequity and its negative effects on the progress and outcomes of students?
- Why is it that only a selected few are invited to the tables of power when all are affected by their decisions?
Simultaneously, we ask our communities the same questions of accountability and responsibility:
- In spite of the impact of institutional inequity, what do we do to hold ourselves accountable to our families and communities?
- What do we do to ensure the educational viability and safety, health and welfare of all children?
- What do we do to take back ownership of our streets, the schools our children attend and our communities?
- How do we keep families intact and guide broken families in crisis while we struggle day to day with poverty?
