Racial discrimination is strictly prohibited by law in Alaska, both at the state and federal levels. Alaska has a unique history in combating discrimination, being the first U.S. territory or state to pass a comprehensive anti-discrimination law (the Alaska Equal Rights Act of 1945) in the 20th century, largely due to the tireless efforts of Alaska Native civil rights advocates like Elizabeth Peratrovich. Despite these legal protections, racial discrimination, including against Alaska Natives, other Indigenous peoples, Black Alaskans, and various ethnic groups, can still occur. ### **ALASKA RACIAL DISCRIMINATION: LAWS, PROTECTIONS, AND RESOURCES** **I. Legal Protections Against Racial Discrimination** 1. **Alaska Human Rights Act (AS 18.80):** - This is Alaska's primary state law prohibiting discrimination. It explicitly makes it illegal to discriminate based on **race, color, and national origin** in various areas. - **"Race" discrimination** includes treating someone unfavorably because of their race or personal characteristics associated with race (e.g., hair texture, facial features). It also covers discrimination because a person is married to or associated with someone of a certain race. - **"Color" discrimination** involves treating someone unfavorably because of their skin color or complexion. - **"National Origin" discrimination** prohibits treating people unfavorably because they are from a particular country or part of the world, because of ethnicity or accent, or because they appear to be of a certain ethnic background. - **Areas where discrimination is prohibited:** - **Employment:** Illegal to discriminate in hiring, firing, promotions, wages, job assignments, and working conditions. - **Public Accommodations:** Businesses and services open to the public (e.g., restaurants, hotels, stores, healthcare facilities) cannot discriminate. - **Sale or Rental of Real Property (Housing):** Discrimination in housing is illegal. - **Financing and Credit:** Financial institutions cannot discriminate. - **Practices by the State or its Political Subdivisions:** Government entities must not discriminate. - **Harassment:** The Act also prohibits harassment based on race, color, or national origin, which can include racial slurs, offensive remarks, or the display of racially-offensive symbols. 2. **Alaska Equal Rights Act of 1945:** - This historic law was the first of its kind in the U.S. in the 20th century, specifically targeting segregation and discrimination against Alaska Natives in public areas. It mandated "full and equal enjoyment" of public areas and businesses and banned discriminatory signs. 3. **Federal Civil Rights Laws:** - **Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964:** Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin for employers with 15 or more employees. - **Fair Housing Act:** Prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. - **Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866:** Guarantees all persons the same right to make and enforce contracts as is enjoyed by white citizens, and has been interpreted to prohibit race discrimination in employment and other contractual relationships. - **Other Federal Laws:** Various other federal laws and executive orders also offer protection against racial discrimination in specific contexts. **II. How to Report and Get Help** If you believe you have experienced racial discrimination in Alaska, here are the key resources: 1. **Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR):** - **Purpose:** The state agency responsible for enforcing the Alaska Human Rights Act. They investigate complaints of discrimination. - **Services:** You can file a formal complaint with the ASCHR. They investigate, attempt mediation, and may pursue legal action if discrimination is found. They have statewide powers. - **Contact:** - **Phone (Anchorage):** (907) 274-4692 - **Toll-Free (Statewide):** 1-800-478-4529 - **Online Complaint Form:** [https://humanrights.alaska.gov/file-a-complaint/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://humanrights.alaska.gov/file-a-complaint/) - **Website:** [https://humanrights.alaska.gov/](https://humanrights.alaska.gov/) 2. **U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):** - **Purpose:** The federal agency responsible for enforcing federal laws against employment discrimination, including racial discrimination. - **Services:** You can file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. They investigate, mediate, and may pursue legal action. The ASCHR and EEOC have a "work-sharing agreement," meaning filing with one agency can often cross-file with the other. - **Contact:** - **Phone:** 1-800-669-4000 - **Website:** [https://www.eeoc.gov/](https://www.eeoc.gov/) (Find contact information for their Seattle District Office, which serves Alaska). 3. **Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) - Fair Housing Project:** - **Purpose:** Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income Alaskans and specifically works to combat housing discrimination, including racial discrimination. - **Services:** Offers free assistance with housing discrimination cases, including intake, counseling, and assisting with filing complaints with HUD or other bodies. - **Toll-Free Statewide Fair Housing Hotline:** 1-855-679-FAIR (3247) - **Email:** [email protected] - **Website:** [https://www.fairhousingalaska.org/](https://www.fairhousingalaska.org/) 4. **ACLU of Alaska (American Civil Liberties Union):** - **Purpose:** Dedicated to upholding racial equality and combating racism in all forms through litigation, community organizing, legislative initiatives, and public education. They specifically work to preserve the rights of people who have historically been denied their rights on the basis of race or ethnicity, including Alaska Natives. - **Services:** Offers legal assistance and advocacy. - **Phone:** (907) 258-0044 - **Online Help Request:** [https://www.acluak.org/en/get-help](https://www.acluak.org/en/get-help) - **Website (Racial Justice):** [https://www.acluak.org/en/issues/racial-justice](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.acluak.org/en/issues/racial-justice) 5. **Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC):** - **Purpose:** Provides culturally sensitive services and legal support, particularly for Alaska Native people facing various legal challenges, including those stemming from discrimination. They address systemic injustices. - **Phone:** (907) 793-3550 - **Website:** [https://anjc.org/](https://anjc.org/) 6. **NAACP Anchorage Branch:** - **Purpose:** A local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, working to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. - **Website:** [https://naacpanchorage.weebly.com/](https://naacpanchorage.weebly.com/) 7. **Bridge Builders of Anchorage:** - **Purpose:** An organization dedicated to promoting harmony and respect among all cultures in Anchorage, working towards eliminating prejudice. - **Website:** [https://www.bridgebuildersak.org/](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.bridgebuildersak.org/) **III. Important Considerations:** - **Documentation:** If you experience discrimination, try to keep a detailed record of incidents, including dates, times, locations, individuals involved, specific discriminatory statements or actions, and any witnesses. - **Deadlines:** There are strict deadlines (statutes of limitations) for filing discrimination complaints. It is crucial to contact an agency or attorney as soon as possible after an incident occurs. For the Alaska Human Rights Act, you generally have 1 year from the alleged incident, and for federal claims, usually 300 days for employment discrimination. - **Retaliation:** It is illegal for an employer or other entity to retaliate against you for filing a discrimination complaint or participating in an investigation. Alaska has a strong legal framework and dedicated organizations working to combat racial discrimination, striving to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunity for all its residents. Here are resources for **racial discrimination support** in **Alaska**: ### **1. Alaska State Commission for Human Rights (ASCHR)** - **Purpose**: Investigates complaints of discrimination, including racial discrimination, and provides enforcement of state anti-discrimination laws. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 274-4692 (Anchorage) - **Toll-Free**: 1-800-478-4692 - **Email**: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) - **Website**: [www.humanrights.alaska.gov](https://www.humanrights.alaska.gov) - **Services**: - Investigates claims of racial discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. - Offers educational resources and guidance for individuals facing racial discrimination in Alaska. - Provides legal and advocacy support for filing complaints related to discrimination. --- ### **2. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alaska** - **Purpose**: Provides legal assistance and advocacy for individuals facing racial discrimination and other civil rights violations in Alaska. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 274-2250 - **Email**: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) - **Website**: [www.acluak.org](https://www.acluak.org) - **Services**: - Advocates for civil rights, including racial equality, in Alaska. - Provides resources and support for individuals facing racial discrimination. - Offers legal representation for discrimination cases and policy change initiatives related to racial justice. --- ### **3. Fairbanks North Star Borough Human Rights Commission** - **Purpose**: A local body that handles complaints of racial discrimination in Fairbanks, Alaska, and provides support for victims of racial bias. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 459-1295 - **Email**: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) - **Website**: [www.fnsb.gov](https://www.fnsb.gov) - **Services**: - Investigates complaints of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. - Provides mediation and resolution options for individuals facing racial discrimination in the community. --- ### **4. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - Alaska Field Office** - **Purpose**: Federal agency that enforces laws against employment discrimination, including racial discrimination, in workplaces across Alaska. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 276-5102 - **Toll-Free**: 1-800-669-4000 - **Website**: [www.eeoc.gov](https://www.eeoc.gov) - **Services**: - Provides enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws, including those prohibiting racial discrimination in employment. - Investigates complaints related to racial discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace. - Offers support in filing complaints and pursuing legal remedies. --- ### **5. NAACP Alaska Chapter** - **Purpose**: Provides advocacy and support for racial justice issues and works to combat racial discrimination in Alaska through community engagement, policy reform, and legal action. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 522-5867 - **Email**: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) - **Website**: [www.aknaacp.org](https://www.aknaacp.org) - **Services**: - Provides information and resources on fighting racial discrimination. - Organizes events and community programs aimed at promoting racial equality. - Works on public policy changes and advocacy to address systemic racial discrimination. --- ### **6. The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) - Alaska** - **Purpose**: Works to eliminate bias, bigotry, and racism through education, advocacy, and programs promoting diversity and inclusion. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 561-2783 - **Email**: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) - **Website**: [www.nccj.org](https://www.nccj.org) - **Services**: - Offers training programs for individuals and organizations on addressing racial prejudice and discrimination. - Provides community outreach and support to foster understanding and healing around racial issues. - Works to eliminate racial bias and discrimination through dialogue and education. --- ### **7. Alaska Black Caucus** - **Purpose**: Supports and advocates for the rights and well-being of Black Alaskans, addressing racial discrimination and promoting racial justice. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 474-4847 - **Email**: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) - **Website**: [www.akblackcaucus.org](https://www.akblackcaucus.org) - **Services**: - Provides a platform for addressing issues of racial injustice and discrimination in Alaska’s Black community. - Advocates for racial equity in public policy and social systems. - Organizes events and activities to educate and empower Black Alaskans. --- ### **8. Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC)** - **Purpose**: Offers legal services and advocacy for Alaska Native people, addressing discrimination and supporting justice issues related to Native communities. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 771-7800 - **Website**: [www.anjc.org](https://www.anjc.org) - **Services**: - Provides legal assistance for issues including racial discrimination and civil rights violations within Native Alaskan communities. - Supports individuals who experience discrimination based on their ethnicity or Native identity. --- ### **9. U.S. Department of Justice - Civil Rights Division** - **Purpose**: Enforces federal laws that prohibit discrimination, including racial discrimination in housing, employment, voting, and public accommodations. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: 1-800-253-3931 - **Website**: [www.justice.gov/crt](https://www.justice.gov/crt) - **Services**: - Investigates complaints of racial discrimination and enforces civil rights laws. - Provides resources and guidance for individuals facing racial discrimination in Alaska. --- ### **10. National Urban League - Alaska** - **Purpose**: A national civil rights organization that addresses racial discrimination and economic disparities affecting African Americans and other people of color, including Alaskans. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: 1-877-984-5023 - **Website**: [www.nul.org](https://www.nul.org) - **Services**: - Provides advocacy for racial equality and justice. - Offers a range of services designed to improve access to housing, education, and employment opportunities, and combat racial discrimination. --- These organizations provide a variety of **legal, advocacy, and community-based support** to address racial discrimination issues in **Alaska**, from local human rights commissions to statewide and national organizations. Whether through **legal action**, **support services**, or **community initiatives**, these resources are dedicated to fighting racial inequality and supporting those affected by discrimination.