Confronting Systemic Racism

Systemic Racism is a form of racism that is embedded as normal practice within a society or institution.

Harmful effects of systemic racism can be seen within many systems, such as legal, education, employment or healthcare. Systemic racism will continue to impede the well-being of youth and young adults of color so long as it goes unaddressed. Understanding the impact of systemic racism is essential to effectively advance justice.

Systemic racism exists throughout LCYC’s four main practice areas:  child welfare, juvenile court, youth and family immigration, and youth homelessness, disproportionately and detrimentally impacting Black, Brown, and Indigenous persons.

Child Welfare

Youth of color are overrepresented in the child welfare system.

In 2019, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) reported that Black and Native/Indigenous youth were at least twice as likely to be involved in the child welfare system. In 2021, this overrepresentation still existed and was prevalent through multiple stages of the child welfare system.

Youth of color are more likely to experience the most drastic consequences of the child welfare system, such as removal from their families and remaining in foster care for years.

Juvenile Court

Youth of color are overrepresented among those referred to and/or detained in jail.

The 2017 Washington State Partnership on Juvenile Justice Report found that Black youth are 3 times more likely to be referred to juvenile court than White youth while Native/Indigenous youth are 4 times more likely. Likewise, Black and Native/Indigenous youth were significantly more likely to be tried as adults, and the disparately is steadily rising.

In 2019, King County reported that 72.4% of youth charged in juvenile court were youth of color, with Black youth making up 40.9% of that number. Additionally, 86.1% of youth incarcerated were youth of color, and 52.5% of them were Black.

Youth and Family Immigration 

Immigration laws and policies have a disproportionately negative effect on youth and families of color. 

The majority of immigrant youth receiving services from LCYC are youth of color, primarily Latinx youth. Several immigrant youth also identify as LGBTQIA+. Youth with immigration needs face immense challenges accessing housing, financial stability, and social mobility, especially if they have intersectional identities.

Further, the ongoing fear of shifting immigration policies places tremendous stress on immigrant families and children, along with significant economical barriers as undocumented persons do not qualify for many benefits.

Youth Homelessness 

People of color are overrepresented among homeless youth and young adults.

In the 2022 King County Point-in-Time Count, it was found that 25% of people experiencing homelessness in King County identify as Black, though Black residents only account for 7% of King County’s total population. Likewise, 9% of people experiencing homelessness identify as Native/Indigenous, though Native/Indigenous residents only make up 1% of King County’s population.

One third of young people experiencing homelessness in King County have been in foster care and almost half have been involved with the juvenile court system.  Both the foster care and juvenile court systems are comprised of mostly youth of color and perpetuate a cycle of homelessness and poor well-being. To learn more about systemic barriers and the overlap of different systems impacting young people, read the LCYC report Empty Promises: Homeless Minors, Our Community’s Failure to Adequately Serve Them, and Hope for a Way Forward.