Targeted Universalism with john a. powell

Targeted universalism is a Bay Area-brewed approach to equity in public policy that recognizes humans' positionality to issues that collectively impact them. Check out john a. powell as he breaks down this strategy into 5 steps.

Find the full video on Youtube by clicking here. Learn more about the the Institute of Othering and Belonging at UC Berkeley and targeted universalism by clicking here.

Let us know what thoughts or reflections this audio brought up for you by commenting this post with an answer to one of the following questions!

1. What’s a universal goal you want to see materialize for youth and families in Oakland right now?

   1. Who in Oakland is the furthest from that universal goal?

2. What are some false choices you encounter in life? Think about choices that are based on false assumptions.

   1. Where do you hear this false choice brought up the most in your life?

3. Some groups might feel that targeted strategies unfairly prioritize one group over another. How does that critique land with you?

Transcript of recording

john a. powell: “What is the most effective and sustainable policy response to problems in our society?”

“Universal approaches are widely used in order to package policies for broad appeal. Universal policies such as Social Security and minimum wage laws provide the same benefits or minimum protections to everyone, regardless of status or group membership.”

“But by treating everyone the same, Universal approaches can't root out group-based discrimination, and may actually deepen inequality between groups rather than reduce it. And by providing benefits or protections to everyone, resources that could be targeted to groups worse off instead flow to those who are better off.”

“In contrast to universalism, targeted approaches are commonly used. Targeted policies provide benefits or protections based on group membership or status.”

“SNAP, the food stamp program, conditions benefits on income level. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires public accessibility for disabled groups. And affirmative action focuses on historically disadvantaged groups. “

“Targeted approaches are vulnerable to the critique that they unfairly favor constituent groups over the public good by directing resources to marginalized groups who are already subjected to unfair stereotypes. “

“But Universal and targeted approaches are false choices. There is a third way: Targeted Universalism. “

'“Targeted Universalism means setting universal goals that can be achieved through targeted approaches. This approach targets the various needs of each group while reminding us that we are all part of the same social fabric.”

“This can be accomplished by following these five steps:

1. “Set a universal goal. For example, 100% proficiency in eighth grade math.”

2. “Measure how the overall population fares relative to the universal goal. In this example we might discover that only 80% of eighth graders are proficient in eighth grade math.“

3. “Measure the performance of population segments relative to the universal goal. So although 80% of all eighth graders are proficient we might find that only 70% of Latinx students are proficient.“

4. “Understand how structures and other factors support or impede groups’ progress toward the universal goal. For our Latinx students, classroom instruction materials and lessons designed for English speakers may impede learning including math proficiency.”

5. “Finally implement targeted strategies so that each and every group can achieve the universal goal based upon their needs and circumstances. This may take the form of ESL-specific math tutoring for our Latinx students, while another group may require a completely different strategy to achieve the same universal goal.“

“Targeted Universalism rejects a blanket universal, which may be indifferent to the reality that different groups are situated differently relative to the institutions and resources of society. By aspiring toward shared universal goals, Targeted Universalism empowers targeted strategies capable of achieving those goals, while moving us beyond concerns over disparities alone, and toward our highest aspirations for all.”