American systems are fundamentally unfair. Racism, sexism, homophobia and other oppressions are baked in. This is structural — it goes deeper than the individuals who work in these systems. These structures mirror public narratives and attitudes: people caught up in systems are the ones who need to change.
We have to focus the change where it belongs: on the systems themselves. But to only re-imagine each system individually — child welfare, housing, courts, finance, healthcare, education and more — misses the opportunity to create a far more just, impactful and hopeful way forward. We have to start with people and communities, centering what every person needs to thrive.