WHAT IS COMMUNITY VISION CONVERSATION (CVC)?

The CVC is one of our Office's responses to urgent calls for justice, reform of law enforcement and other institutions, the elimination of systemic racism, and more, following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so many others.

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We hope to provide a safe space for our participants to fully express themselves about these issues—and really listen to each other—as we strive for meaningful change, mutual respect, healing and reconciliation. These conversations are important in themselves, but we intend to go beyond talking about these crucial issues. We hope to take what we learn from our participants and translate those lessons into action that serves our community. The time for that action—to take steps toward tangible and long-lasting change—is now. Only then can we truly, authentically, emerge as a stronger and more unified community.

WHEN WILL I VIRTUALLY ATTEND?

We will be sending out a survey in circulation to determine the best day and time of the week that works for all participants.

WHO WILL BE PARTICIPATING?

Our office sent thousands of letters inviting those who were arrested by LAPD while protesting in response to the killing of Mr. George Floyd who did not engage in acts of violence, looting or property damage. We have also invited local business owners whose businesses were affected by the demonstrations as well as LAPD Officers. In addition to providing a forum for participants to express themselves, we are also using the CVC as an effort to begin to build a sense of community by bridging gaps and finding some common ground so that we can all build a better Los Angeles. If you fall into one of these categories and you are interested in participating, please email the CVC team.

WHERE WILL IT BE HELD?

In light of COVID-19, the first CVC will be held remotely. Participants will receive a link to the meeting and be able to participate, but maintain a social distance from other participants.

HOW CAN I COMMUNICATE WITH THE CVC TEAM?

Please feel free to email the CVC team.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I ATTEND?

In a nutshell, what's said here stays here, but what's learned here leaves here.

We are sensitive to your privacy and will not make any of the personal information shared during the CVC public. However, we will use the information we learn from the CVC in general to make the changes necessary. We don't just want to talk about the problems and have it end there, we need to learn from all of you so that we can develop and grow to better serve our community.

I'VE TOLD YOU I WANT TO PARTICIPATE. NOW WHAT?

Once you confirm that you are interested in participating, you should receive an email confirmation from us. You will receive further communications from us regarding details for the CVC at the same email address, so please use an email address you check regularly to receive further details.

WILL THIS BE RECORDED? OR SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC?

No! It is imperative to our Office to create an environment that fosters transparency and openness to really maximize the effectiveness of the CVC. The things shared by all participants will be kept in strict confidence and not used against any of the participants whatsoever.

HOW CAN I GIVE FEEDBACK TO THE CVC TEAM?

Please also feel free to continue to reach out to email the CVC team with feedback. There may be more than one CVC event, so we welcome all constructive feedback to be serve our community.

ALLY

An ally is any person that actively promotes and aspires to advance the culture of inclusion through intentional, positive and conscious efforts that benefit people as a whole.

ANTIRACIST

The act of working against racist systems and policies.

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BIAS

Prejudice toward one group and its members relative to another group.

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BLACK LIVES MATTER

A political and social movement originating among African Americans, emphasizing basic human rights and racial equality for black people and campaigning against various forms of racism. Abbreviations: BLM, B.L.M.

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COMMUNITY INDICATOR

The means by which we can measure Socio economic conditions in the community. All community indicators should be disaggregated by race if possible.

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CONTRACTING EQUITY

Investments in contracting, consulting and procurement should benefit the communities in Los Angeles County, proportionate to its demographics.

DEHUMANIZATION

To deprive (someone or something) of human qualities, personality or dignity.

EQUITY

The resulting condition we aim to achieve in the community.

ETHNICITY

A social group that shares a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, history and customs.

EXPLICIT BIAS

Biases that people are unaware of and that operate consciously. They are expressed directly.

IMPLICIT BIAS

Biases people are usually unaware of and that operate at the subconscious level. Implicit bias is usually expressed indirectly.

INDIVIDUAL RACISM

Bigotry or discrimination by an individual based on race.

INSTITUTIONAL RACISM

Policies, practices, and procedures that work better for white people than for people color, often unintentionally or inadvertently.

NON-RACIST

The act of not being racist but is complicit towards systemic racism.

PREJUDICE

A preconceived judgment or opinion. An adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge.

PERFORMANCE MEASURE

Performance measures are at the county department or program level. Appropriate performance measures allow monitoring of the success of implementation of actions that have a reasonable chance of influencing indicators and contributing to results. Performance measures respond to three different levels:

• Quantity- how much did we do?

• Quality- how well did we do it?

• Is any one better off?

A mix of these types of performance measures is contained within the recommendations.

RACE

A social construct that categorizes people based on physical characteristics and ancestry to justify inequitable distribution of resources and power.

RACIAL EQUITY

Eliminating race-based outcome gaps so that race cannot predict one's success and improving outcomes for all. This approach centers those who are worse off and moves from a service-based approach toward focusing on policies, institutions and structures.

RACIAL INEQUITY

Outcome gaps between people of different races based on historical or current factors or structures that benefit White people more than people of color. We occasionally use "equity" or "inequity" as shorthand for "racial equity" and "racial inequity," but only when the full phrase has just been used. While it's tempting to shorten for brevity's sake, it's more important to be explicit.

RACIST BIAS

Refers to unconscious biases we have about people of other races that affect our decisions and actions.

STEREOTYPE

Something conforming to a fixed or general pattern, especially a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment

STRUCTURAL RACISM

A history and current reality of institutional racism across all institutions, combining to create a system that negatively impacts communities of color.

WHITE FRAGILITY

A state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress be- comes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves. These moves include the outward display of emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and behaviors such as argumentation, silence, and leaving the stress inducing situation. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium.

WHITENESS

A location of structural advantage, of race privilege. Second, it is a ‘standpoint,’ a place from which White people look at ourselves, at others, and at society. Third, ‘Whiteness’ refers to a set of cultural practices that are usually unmarked and unnamed.

WHITE PRIVILEGE

Refers to the individual and systemic advantages afforded to White people by virtue of them belonging to the dominant ethnic group in society.

WORKFORCE EQUITY

That the workforce of Los Angeles County government reflect the diversity of Los Angeles County residents, including across the breadth (functions and departments) and depth (hierarchy) of Los Angeles County.