“We should soundly reject language coming out of the mouths of any of our leaders that feeds a climate of fear and hatred or normalizes racist sentiments; leaders who demonize those who don’t look like us, or suggest that other people, including immigrants, threaten our way of life, or refer to other people as sub-human, or imply that America belongs to just one certain type of people,”
“It’s time for the overwhelming majority of Americans of goodwill, of every race and faith and political party, to say as much — clearly and unequivocally,”
President Barack Obama
What is a Virus?
A virus is a microscopic piece of genetic material surrounded by a coat made of proteins. It enters healthy cells and hijacks them, creating copies of itself. When viruses begin replicating inside a living organism, they can cause an infectious disease.
Viruses are not generated by race or ethnicity. Viruses are not generated by gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. Viruses are not generated by religious beliefs or political affiliation. Viruses are generated by living organisms and can affect all of humanity.
What is Racism?
Racism = Power + Prejudice
Power is political, economic, social, systemic, institutional and influential. Power defines reality for the person or group wielding the power and the reality for those being oppressed by the use of this power.
Prejudice is negative stereotypes directed towards a group of people that are damaging and deny individuality. Prejudicial attitudes typically lead to negative behaviors towards individuals and a particular group of people.
Racism serves the interest of those in power and fosters racial oppression against those experiencing it. Racism leads to internalized and external negative messages that also leads to discrimination, violence, conscious bias and oppression of groups and individuals.
No Time for Silence
Racism is identifying a virus by the name of a country (China) or race of people because the virus impacted those in that country first. Racism is calling women of color nasty if they ask questions about conscious bias and racist behavior. Racism is treating and allowing others to treat those of Asian decent with disdain, disrespect, bias and prejudice regarding a virus that has nothing to do with their race, ethnicity or birthplace. Racism is Being Silent when there is xenophobia, greed, othering, exclusion and hatred. Racism is Silence! Racism is No Action!
The Virus and You
CoVid19 is impacting the world. It is impacting you. It is impacting your family. It is impacting your community. The way YOU respond when people use the origination of this virus and the impact of it in a racist manner is also about YOU. You must stand up! You must speak up! You must ACT! You must not let anyone or any group to be marginalized at any time. Let’s all show up and show that We are All Amazing!How we address CoVid19 socially and through human relationships as a nation will determine how we survive and thrive today and tomorrow.
JB’s Corner 