WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Center for Urban and Racial Equity (CURE) in partnership with the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California Berkeley; Seeding Sovereignty, an indigenous womxn-led collective; and Community Health Councils released the 2020 Racial Justice Presidential Scorecard. The first of its kind, the scorecard analyzes presidential candidates' policy proposals through a racial equity lens across critical areas including criminal justice reform, education, health care, voting rights, reparations, environmental justice, immigration, indigenous rights, and policies to close the racial wealth gap. The scorecard also examines candidates' past and current rhetoric and language around racial justice issues important to communities of color.

Candidates received points based on their on-record (e.g., campaign website, news reports, public appearances) positions on policies most likely to address persistent racial inequities. The scoring criteria included support for specific policies to further racial justice, level of detail provided to describe their policy strategies, and language used in debates and public events to explain issues impacting black and brown voters. The scorecard underwent a rigorous external review process to ensure the scoring of the candidates were fair and on issues of importance to communities of color.

"With the resurgence of white nationalism, anti-immigrant rhetoric and violence, and assaults on critical policies and programs from housing to health care under the current administration, the 2020 presidential election is a change election that should be about producing real change for black and brown communities," said Dr. Judy Lubin, president of the Center for Urban and Racial Equity. "We hope the scorecard pushes candidates to make these issues a priority for their campaigns and serves as a useful tool for voters who care about racial justice to make informed decisions in 2020."

"The Racial Justice Scorecard articulates a valuable and needed conversation currently missing from the presidential election," said Janet MacGillivary, J.D., LL.M, executive director of Seeding Sovereignty. "In a time of climate crisis, severe inequalities, and attacks on communities of color, it is crucial that we elect a president that is well-equipped and willing to shift social and environmental paradigms to dismantle these issues."

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