Social Justice and Equity Initiatives in Boston

calendar_today 7 August, 2024

While Boston is a progressive city in a largely liberal state, it is not immune from the long-standing social, racial, and environmental inequities that are present throughout the United States. Historical injustices like racially restrictive land ownership laws, redlining initiatives, and notorious blockbusting practices have made Boston one of the most segregated cities in the country and created systemic disparities that still reverberate today.

The impact of these disparities is wide-ranging and pervasive. Socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods see higher temperatures due to a lack of trees and green space. Communities of color are at greater risk of serious health issues as a result of higher levels of vehicular air pollution, because these neighborhoods are more likely to be located near major roadways. Black Americans are subjected to significantly more policing incarceration, with an imprisonment rate nearly five times higher than the rate of white imprisonment.

Public officials and activists in Boston are working to address these injustices and develop a community response framework rooted in accountability, dedicated to swift and large-scale action among legislators and the public, and committed to the equitable sharing of resources. Government agencies, private and community groups, and institutions like Northeastern University are also contributing to these efforts by engaging in research, offering their expertise, and developing programs that create more equality for all of Boston’s residents.

City-Led Plans and Projects

Unconscious Bias Training

Boston is taking responsibility to improve the quality of life of all residents through an ambitious slate of social justice initiatives. Former mayor, Marty J. Walsh, created an executive order that declared racism to be a public health crisis and outlined a series of actions to be taken. One outcome of this is the creation of the Racial Equity and Leadership (REAL) training program, which will be administered to the city’s 18,000 staff members. This program focuses on recognizing and combating unconscious bias and transforming systems to eliminate unfair processes and outcomes.

Reparative Justice

The city also created a Reparations Task Force to study the ongoing impact of slavery and racism in Boston and provide recommendations for reparative justice. The program provides funding for the creation of community spaces that share and honor the histories and experiences of Black residents. Other projects could include videos of residents’ oral histories, public storytelling events and projects, and original research on the legacy of slavery.

Environmental Justice

As part of Boston’s goal to become a Green New Deal city, civic leaders have created an Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks committee that will tackle intertwined economic, social, and racial disparities by instituting policies and projects that prepare for and mitigate the effects of climate change, which often disproportionately impact historically disadvantaged communities areas. The committee will work with community groups like the Boston Green New Deal Coalition to ensure residents have a voice in the development and implementation of these plans and initiatives.

Nonprofit Efforts

Housing

Grassroots organizations are also making major contributions to greater social justice and equity across Boston. City Life/Vida Urbana began in the 70s as a tenants’ action group devoted to supporting working-class populations who were navigating displacement and eviction. Today, the group defends residents facing foreclosure, eviction, and other housing crises. They also advocate for legislative reforms like rent control and the right to counsel, expose and address lending discrimination, and help families facing environmental hazards in their housing. 

Public Arts

Art can be a powerful method to educate the public, raise awareness, and inspire more people to work toward change. Urbano Project focuses on public art programs that illuminate the lived experiences of young people and other community members who have experienced social, environmental, and racial injustice. Artists-in-residence work with participants under an annual theme to create place-based public projects and performances that explore and question injustice. One 2022 youth artist project, “Through Our Eyes: Reflections on Climate Justice,” used documentary theater and other performances as a means to share stories of how climate change is impacting Boston communities — and how climate justice activists are trying to create a more equitable and sustainable world. 

Northeastern University and Real-World Change

Northeastern University — which has been central to Boston for over 120 years — is helping to advance social justice by bringing students, faculty, and Boston residents into collaboration on key programs and initiatives. “Many of the faculty engage in research and related partnerships with city agencies and community organizations in the interest of advancing equitable programs,” says Joan Fitzgerald, Professor of Urban Planning and Policy at Northeastern’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. She is currently working to evaluate what skills, education, and training is needed for youths and individuals impacted by the justice system who are seeking careers in the green economy.

Students in the Master of Public Policy and Master of Public Administration programs at Northeastern will see social justice work in action as a part of their studies. MPA and MPP students also have the option of focusing their studies even more on social justice by earning a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Sector, Philanthropy, and Social Change during their degree. The coursework prepares students to serve as leaders in the nonprofit or public sectors.

“Many if not most of the faculty incorporate social justice and equity into their courses. Students participate in research projects in many courses in which they work with various justice-oriented organizations. Also, many of the capstone projects have a justice/equity focus.”

— Joan Fitzgerald, Professor of Urban Planning and Policy 

Experiential learning is a foundational aspect of a Northeastern education that is built into the curriculum. The MPA and MPP programs incorporate a valuable internship, which could entail working with an organization involved in social justice and equity initiatives. Students may also take advantage of the university’s optional co-op program to gain credit for full-time work in a position related to their academic interests. While the Greater Boston area affords many opportunities to Northeastern students, students at the Oakland and Arlington campuses will not miss out on these opportunities.

Students may also work with faculty on exciting projects at one of the university’s many research centers and institutes. One of these, the Burnes Center for Social Change, focuses on leveraging technology to solve challenges in the areas of education, government, and economic justice.

Boston: A Center for Social Justice

Boston’s position as a diverse urban center and home to renowned academics and researchers make it an ideal location to study and engage in social change. MPP and MPA students at Northeastern University are exposed to some of the most advanced thinking and approaches toward social, racial, and environmental justice in the country — both in and out of the classroom. Graduates will be equipped with the skills, knowledge, and tools to address and eradicate systemic injustice and inequity. 

About the Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy Programs at Northeastern University

Northeastern University, a top-50, R1 research institution, offers two interdisciplinary, community-focused degree options for professionals ready to make their mark in the world of public service. Northeastern’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs offers these two degree programs. Our Master of Public Administration option is a career-oriented program designed to shape leaders who are ethical, efficient, and effective. Meanwhile, our Master of Public Policy (MPP) program equips future policymakers with the comprehensive research and analysis skills they’ll need to best support the public good. Students in each program benefit from the world-class education, research opportunities, and expert faculty provided by Northeastern’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities. Students may take classes online, in person, or in a mixed modality format. MPP classes are offered on our Boston and Arlington campuses. MPA classes are available on our Boston campus and will also be offered on our Oakland and Arlington campuses beginning in Fall 2024.