From the Systemic Racism and Discrimination During COVID-19 Webinar
Several months ago Dianne and I got involved with a missions group at Hayes Barton UMC, initiated by John Thomas, now known as Being Boaz. During the course of several meetings we became aware of the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society, that advocates for social justice, with the vision: Living Faith – Seeking Justice – Pursuing Peace. Social justice has always been a passion of ours, and to discover such a group sanctioned by the United Methodist Church excited us. Last month, under the leadership of Pastor Molly, a spin off group from ‘Boaz’ met to initiate Hayes Barton’s first Board of Church and Society. At our meeting last Tuesday we discussed a webinar series presented by the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society on COVID-19: Pre-existing Disparities Exposed.
The first in the five part series was presented this past Thursday and was titled: Systemic Racism and Discrimination During COVID-19. The webinar was hosted by Aimee Hong as moderator and featured four panelists who addressed systemic racism and discrimination and how it has impacted three primary populations and ethnic groups in America during the pandemic crisis. People of color, particularly African-Americans have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic that has left them more exposed and less protected. They are so because of structural racism that has led to them having more of the low paying jobs (ironically now considered “essential”) and the burdens of racism has led to more chronic disease, higher risk factors and less routine health care.
Another group that has been disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus are American Indians. Indian Country now outpaces the State of New York in the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths. That population too is much less protected due to the inadequate fulfillment of treaty and trusts obligations by the US government. These obligations are the result of commitments made in treaties with Indian Country by federal government in exchange for vast amounts of land they relinquished. Currently the amount of federal support for medical expenses for American Indians in Indian Country is $3,000, when the average cost in America is $10,000 per year.
During the webinar we also learned how discrimination against Asian Americans has risen dramatically during the pandemic. There is a long history in this country of discrimination against this population and goes back to the 1800’s and the ‘Yellow Peril’ scare. With much of the talk about the ‘Chinese virus’ it is little wonder why the flames of such prejudice are being ignited again.
This webinar, the first in a five part series, was very enlightening, but also convicting in many ways, as it revealed some of our own ignorance on these matters. It exposed and explained how the current pandemic has, as one panelist said, ‘pulled back the sheets’ on systemic racism and discrimination in America. It also made us realize that it is indeed difficult to recognize prejudice in a system that is structured to privilege us. We look forward to learning more about social justice in our society through the eyes of the United Methodist Church.
And do as the Lord says in Micah 6:8 – To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
