In unearthing our roots and our stories, we’ll find common ground in South Florida | Opinion

Call me crazy, but I want South Florida to be the most equitable place in the country. But so much has changed lately.

In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, it’s easy to overlook the complexities of race, power, access and leadership in our lives. These issues have deep roots in our society and are entrenched in our nation’s history. As we strive for a more inclusive and equitable future, we can’t stop learning about these critical topics and engaging in open, honest, civil conversations to foster collective understanding. We are citizenry.

In South Florida, our diverse tapestry of cultures offers a unique opportunity to explore the complex dynamics of race and power. Our community is lauded as a microcosm of the world’s beautiful racial and cultural landscape, from the region’s indigenous peoples and the African diaspora to the rich histories of the Caribbean, Latin America, and beyond. Issues of access and leadership are equally important. Too often, opportunities and resources are unequally distributed, exacerbating disparities and perpetuating cycles of inequity.

But we already know this, many of us, because we live this, or parts of this. Each of us experiences the effects of our society’s institutions and structures in different ways, which create the filters through which we see the world and our role in it. And while diverse experiences add to perspectives, they can also create invisible barriers to reaching common ground.

Common ground is not as far out of reach as it may appear lately. We all want South Florida residents to have safe and fair housing options. We all want individuals who need medical care to be able to get it affordably. We all want people with disabilities to have access to the same opportunities and rights as those without. This is equity. This is inclusion. This is the goal.

These goals feel large and daunting, but the steps are small and entirely possible. Let’s begin by anchoring ourselves, as I have, in the crazy dream that we want the best for our neighbors. Then take the first step — keep educating ourselves on important issues and connecting with others in conversation. Each time we do this, we expand our knowledge and understanding, and we build indestructible bridges. And the more we repeat these steps — and the more of us taking them — the closer we get to the reality of true equity.

Every year we give you a place to start. YWCA South Florida was excited to launch its annual YWCA Community Justice Challenge this month. It is a virtual tool that prompts you every weekday with highly curated, engaging information about the week’s topic. Grab a group of friends or coworkers, learn on your own or join one of our weekly discussions. This is how South Florida learns together, fosters personal reflection and engages in social issues on an ongoing basis.

This year, we will spend four weeks diving deeper into the topics of disability, housing, music and mental health. These topics are constantly in the headlines. With around-the-clock news cycles it’s easy to become numb, but we cannot, and must not, let that happen. Collectively as a community, we have too much at stake. The challenge creates dedicated time and space for participants to advance our understanding of equity and justice in everyday life.

This challenge is not about changing beliefs but about learning ways to change systems that currently leave groups of people behind. Together, we can find common ground to be good citizens who care for one another and our community. In a time when so much calls us to divide, let’s rediscover the collective power of unity.

The YWCA Community Justice Challenge is free and open to all, now. Join and journey with us. Equity building is community building, and that will always matter.

Kerry-Ann Royes is president & CEO of YWCA South Florida.