![Child sitting on parent's shoulders, with the words "=Systemic Equality".](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2021/02/SysEq-Hero-2800x1400-StocksyChildWithParent-v3.jpg)
Systemic Equality: Equal Access, Better Futures
Systemic Equality is A Racial Justice Agenda
Since our nation’s founding, discriminatory policies and laws have created an unequal system in which Black communities have had their civil rights and liberties denied and have been systematically locked out of opportunities in education, housing, employment and more.
Through our Systemic Equality agenda, the ACLU will use nationwide litigation, advocacy, and public education to advance laws and policies rooted in racial equity and end discriminatory policies, laws, and practices that have an outsized impact on Black communities.
The ACLU will also continue to evolve our own culture, systems, and processes to drive progress toward our internal racial justice commitments, including by committing sustained recruitment and hiring efforts to recruit more diverse talent pools, developing initiatives to promote and retain Black leadership, engaging Black-owned and Black-led businesses, and more.
When we have full and equal access to education, jobs, housing, voting rights, and more, better futures are possible.
A Spotlight on Fair Housing
![A row of apartment buildings.](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2023/05/housing-101-blog.jpg)
Why Fair Housing is Key to Systemic Equality
Here’s how discrimination continues to impact access to housing today, and why we’re fighting to ensure all people have equal access.
![A woman in a classroom taking notes.](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2023/07/internship-application-2.jpg)
Apply for the ACLU-NBLSA Southern Legal Internship (SLIP) Program
SLIP interns will contribute to crucial campaigns in the issue areas that most affect Black and Brown communities.
Source: Careers at ACLU
How Can We Achieve Systemic Equality?
ACLU Deputy Legal Director Yasmin Cader explains what needs to be done in the fight against systemic racial discrimination in order to create a world in which everyone’s civil rights and liberties are recognized.
![A photo of Yasmin Cader with the text What Does Systemic Equality Look Like?](https://assets.aclu.org/live/uploads/2021/02/2023-04-SE-Yasmin-THumbnail-1400x787.jpg)