Given the current state of our country and the ongoing struggles due to COVID-19, social and racial injustices and disparities have become more prevalent as a result of this public health crisis. Racial and ethnic minorities that are living in the South, and more specifically African Americans, are disproportionately contracting and dying from the virus at far higher rates than the rest of the population. With the rise of the pandemic, the South has faced major economic and healthcare crises. Communities in the South experience higher poverty rates and declining access to healthcare and housing systems. One article mentioned that, “In the past decade, 120 rural U.S. hospitals closed their doors, 75 of them were in the South”(Vestal). With poor housing opportunities and lack of access to healthcare, African Americans are more likely to develop underlying health issues, placing them at an even higher risk for contracting and fighting off the COVID 19 virus.
This constitutes a recent example of systemic injustice in our society, as the government and higher corporate systems have failed to provide for all its citizens equally. The lack of security and resources range from the resistance of expanding Medicaid to low income individuals, to the inability to afford accurate protection, such as face masks. Another factor that puts minority groups further at risk are the nature of their jobs. They tend to work front line service jobs that are considered more essential and cannot take time off or work from home. Not to mention what the risks of living in inadequate or overcrowded housing can contribute during the pandemic. All of these factors represent the various forms of discriminations that are implemented in the systems of power at play.
The South has had a long history of dealing with social issues and injustices, like in the 1960’s when supporters like John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr fought for their Civil Rights. Decades of racist policies and their lasting effects on the South have placed African Americans and ethnic minority groups in a position of low socioeconomic status and with less opportunities; more or less in the position of the Other. The higher power systems, like housing, education, and especially healthcare, have further failed to protect those most vulnerable, making them more susceptible to this deadly virus.
New advocacy groups similar to those in the 60’s have formed, like the Southern Communities Initiative (SCI), coming together and working with corporate leaders and other non-profit organizations. Their objectives focus on changing the wealth gap, increasing health equity, and creating fair opportunities in businesses, education, and housing to help put an end to structural racism in America.
Sources:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated on 19 April 2021, Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/health-equity/race-ethnicity.html
Chavis Jr, Benjamin F. “American Business Leaders Step Up to Fight Inequities in the South.” The Atlanta Voice, 18 Sept. 2021, Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantavoice.com/articles/american-business-leaders-step-up-to-fight-inequities-in-the-south/
Vestal, Christine. “The South may see the largest share of coronavirus misery.” PEW, 13 April 2020, Retrieved from: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/04/13/the-south-may-see-the-largest-share-of-coronavirus-misery
I really enjoyed reading your diary of systemic injustices and believe you made very valid points that we’re able to be backed up with great evidence! I completely agree with you that this COVID 19 pandemic has brought a great number of injustices that have affected the way people go about their everyday lives and also their overall health and well-being. I really like the sources you used and I believe that the statistics that were present helped make your argument stronger. Overall, I thoughout your diary was great and also made a great connection to John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your diary of systematic injustice showcase. This information in your showcase is very beneficial because comparing the public health concerns of north and south regions of our country and including the racial history of both of them gives us valuable information to learn on. The clear injustices minorities in the south faced in American history contributes to crisis even today and it’s important to know this background information. Hopefully this regional injustice will change for the better of our nation in the near future, and our country as a whole needs to take steps in order to achieve this goal. Overall, great showcase!
You mentioned many factors that affect African-Americans resulting in increased mortality rates from Covid-19. One additional factor to consider is African-Americans have higher rates of asthma than other races, further contributing to their struggle with the pandemic. The impact of medical services, frontline jobs and higher relates of asthma make for an incredibly dangerous combination.