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Why the Virus Is a Civil Rights Issue: ‘The Pain Will Not Be Shared Equally’ Why the Virus Is a Civil Rights Issue: ‘The Pain Will Not Be Shared Equally’
(5 days later)
Rallies and marches and other traditional forms of protest are out, given the social distancing restrictions now in place from coast to coast, but activists are organizing campaigns nonetheless aimed at what is emerging as the latest front in the country’s civil rights struggle: the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on communities of color.Rallies and marches and other traditional forms of protest are out, given the social distancing restrictions now in place from coast to coast, but activists are organizing campaigns nonetheless aimed at what is emerging as the latest front in the country’s civil rights struggle: the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on communities of color.
The Covid-19 racial disparity in infections and deaths is viewed as the latest chapter of historical injustices, generational poverty and a flawed health care system. The epidemic has hit African-Americans and Hispanics especially hard, including in New York, where the virus is twice as deadly for those populations.The Covid-19 racial disparity in infections and deaths is viewed as the latest chapter of historical injustices, generational poverty and a flawed health care system. The epidemic has hit African-Americans and Hispanics especially hard, including in New York, where the virus is twice as deadly for those populations.
So in the midst of a national quarantine, civil rights activists are organizing broad, loosely stitched campaigns at home from their laptops and cellphones, creating online platforms and starting petitions to help shape relief and recovery plans. Though digital tools are part of most initiatives, the pandemic is prompting a new kind of creativity to rally support without the power and visceral energy of crowds.So in the midst of a national quarantine, civil rights activists are organizing broad, loosely stitched campaigns at home from their laptops and cellphones, creating online platforms and starting petitions to help shape relief and recovery plans. Though digital tools are part of most initiatives, the pandemic is prompting a new kind of creativity to rally support without the power and visceral energy of crowds.
Collectively, the goal is targeted legislation, financial investments and government and corporate accountability. The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., the longtime civil rights leader, is calling for the creation of a new Kerner Commission to document the “racism and discrimination built into public policies” that make the pandemic measurably worse for some African-Americans.Collectively, the goal is targeted legislation, financial investments and government and corporate accountability. The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., the longtime civil rights leader, is calling for the creation of a new Kerner Commission to document the “racism and discrimination built into public policies” that make the pandemic measurably worse for some African-Americans.
“It’s really hard to overstate the critical moment we are in as a people, given how this virus has ripped through our community,” said Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization with 1.7 million members. “We know the pain will not be shared equally.”“It’s really hard to overstate the critical moment we are in as a people, given how this virus has ripped through our community,” said Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization with 1.7 million members. “We know the pain will not be shared equally.”
Mr. Robinson’s organization and others, such as the National Urban League and the N.A.A.C.P., have hosted telephone and virtual town halls, drafted state and federal policy recommendations and sent letters to legislators.Mr. Robinson’s organization and others, such as the National Urban League and the N.A.A.C.P., have hosted telephone and virtual town halls, drafted state and federal policy recommendations and sent letters to legislators.
Smaller local groups, often reliant on street mobilizing, are working around the social distancing restrictions to rally support.Smaller local groups, often reliant on street mobilizing, are working around the social distancing restrictions to rally support.
In Los Angeles, housing activists staged a “car caravan” protest outside Mayor Eric Garcetti’s house to push for stronger tenant protections. In Minneapolis, cars circled a bank and honked horns, calling for the cancellation of rent and mortgage payments. And tenant and tenant organizers in Missouri plan to take over a stretch of highway on Monday to demand rent cancellation.In Los Angeles, housing activists staged a “car caravan” protest outside Mayor Eric Garcetti’s house to push for stronger tenant protections. In Minneapolis, cars circled a bank and honked horns, calling for the cancellation of rent and mortgage payments. And tenant and tenant organizers in Missouri plan to take over a stretch of highway on Monday to demand rent cancellation.
“We are faced with trying to navigate this new level of hurt without some of our traditional methods of flooding the streets,” said Tara Raghuveer, the director of KC Tenants.“We are faced with trying to navigate this new level of hurt without some of our traditional methods of flooding the streets,” said Tara Raghuveer, the director of KC Tenants.
Robert Dawkins, a social justice activist, took one look at the numbers in Charlotte, N.C. — black residents make up about 22 percent of the state’s population but account for 39 percent of its positive cases — and knew the coronavirus would land hard in African-American communities. Ordinarily, he would knock on doors and go to churches to assess the damage and brainstorm solutions, but like other activists, he was forced to mobilize from home.Robert Dawkins, a social justice activist, took one look at the numbers in Charlotte, N.C. — black residents make up about 22 percent of the state’s population but account for 39 percent of its positive cases — and knew the coronavirus would land hard in African-American communities. Ordinarily, he would knock on doors and go to churches to assess the damage and brainstorm solutions, but like other activists, he was forced to mobilize from home.
“We need to get to our people to get an idea of what the long-term repercussions are for an already fragile community,” said Mr. Dawkins, the political director of Action NC. “We are used to walking the streets and going to Wednesday Bible study and meeting people where they are. So now, we are quickly sending emails and calling and texting to check on people.”“We need to get to our people to get an idea of what the long-term repercussions are for an already fragile community,” said Mr. Dawkins, the political director of Action NC. “We are used to walking the streets and going to Wednesday Bible study and meeting people where they are. So now, we are quickly sending emails and calling and texting to check on people.”
Movements are made up of big policy ideas and small acts. Across the country, individuals are making direct pleas for the common cause of slowing the outbreak’s spread. In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot took matters into her own hands, driving around the city and breaking up crowds last week. The coroner in Albany, Ga., has visited the homes of people who died of Covid-19, making sure the surviving relatives are wearing masks and social distancing.Movements are made up of big policy ideas and small acts. Across the country, individuals are making direct pleas for the common cause of slowing the outbreak’s spread. In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot took matters into her own hands, driving around the city and breaking up crowds last week. The coroner in Albany, Ga., has visited the homes of people who died of Covid-19, making sure the surviving relatives are wearing masks and social distancing.
“I am trying to sound the alarm because I see the devastation in the black community,” Michael Fowler, the coroner of Dougherty County, said hours after the Georgia county’s 91st Covid-19 death. “I am trying to do my part. Preachers, a judge, a church choir member, all walks of life are dying. My job is to pronounce death, but I believe in trying to save lives.”“I am trying to sound the alarm because I see the devastation in the black community,” Michael Fowler, the coroner of Dougherty County, said hours after the Georgia county’s 91st Covid-19 death. “I am trying to do my part. Preachers, a judge, a church choir member, all walks of life are dying. My job is to pronounce death, but I believe in trying to save lives.”
The disparity is the result of intersecting threats. African-Americans disproportionately belong to the part of the “essential” work force without insurance, and working from home is often not an option. That means more exposure to the virus, both in transit and in the workplace, and no way to access affordable health care. For many, the line from day-to-day living to Covid-19 patient is alarmingly short.The disparity is the result of intersecting threats. African-Americans disproportionately belong to the part of the “essential” work force without insurance, and working from home is often not an option. That means more exposure to the virus, both in transit and in the workplace, and no way to access affordable health care. For many, the line from day-to-day living to Covid-19 patient is alarmingly short.
Weeks ago, public health departments began releasing the number of Covid-19 cases by race. Though the numbers were limited, it was enough to signal a brewing crisis within black communities. First, Milwaukee. Then Chicago and Detroit.Weeks ago, public health departments began releasing the number of Covid-19 cases by race. Though the numbers were limited, it was enough to signal a brewing crisis within black communities. First, Milwaukee. Then Chicago and Detroit.
Not far behind were smaller cities, such as Charlotte and Albany, where two funerals attended by members of three black churches sparked a cluster of about 500 cases and 29 deaths, staggering numbers in a city with a population of about 75,000.Not far behind were smaller cities, such as Charlotte and Albany, where two funerals attended by members of three black churches sparked a cluster of about 500 cases and 29 deaths, staggering numbers in a city with a population of about 75,000.
There is more. Data from the farthest reaches of the Deep South shows large disparities in death rates as well. Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia have all reported that African-Americans are dying at much higher rates than white people.There is more. Data from the farthest reaches of the Deep South shows large disparities in death rates as well. Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia have all reported that African-Americans are dying at much higher rates than white people.
While some governors established task forces to study the disparities — and President Trump promised more race-based data — civil rights and social justice organizations were working to combat rampant misinformation and to make policy recommendations.While some governors established task forces to study the disparities — and President Trump promised more race-based data — civil rights and social justice organizations were working to combat rampant misinformation and to make policy recommendations.
Updated July 23, 2020 Updated July 27, 2020
The numbers — or lack of numbers — became one of the first battles. Across the country, activists demanded wider access to testing and better case data stratified by race.The numbers — or lack of numbers — became one of the first battles. Across the country, activists demanded wider access to testing and better case data stratified by race.
Activists view the preliminary statistics as the foundation of a human rights disaster, in many ways akin to Hurricane Katrina. The one-two punch of a ferocious storm and an unequal recovery hollowed out black neighborhoods in New Orleans.Activists view the preliminary statistics as the foundation of a human rights disaster, in many ways akin to Hurricane Katrina. The one-two punch of a ferocious storm and an unequal recovery hollowed out black neighborhoods in New Orleans.
The groups are rolling out a list of demands and protections that are both unique to the pandemic and familiar social justice calls. They include some guarantee of housing stability — a moratorium on rent, mortgage payments, evictions and utility disconnections. They also want the release of nonviolent older and medically high-risk people from jails and prisons, and expansions of Medicaid benefits and stronger employee protections, such as paid sick leave. Longer term, groups are recommending ways to protect voter rights in the upcoming presidential election.The groups are rolling out a list of demands and protections that are both unique to the pandemic and familiar social justice calls. They include some guarantee of housing stability — a moratorium on rent, mortgage payments, evictions and utility disconnections. They also want the release of nonviolent older and medically high-risk people from jails and prisons, and expansions of Medicaid benefits and stronger employee protections, such as paid sick leave. Longer term, groups are recommending ways to protect voter rights in the upcoming presidential election.
“This is absolutely talking about civil rights,” said Ashley Shelton, the executive director of Power Coalition For Equity and Justice in Louisiana.“This is absolutely talking about civil rights,” said Ashley Shelton, the executive director of Power Coalition For Equity and Justice in Louisiana.
Power Coalition organized dozens of organizations already working in the state on housing, criminal justice and workers’ rights issues to begin developing a road map to recovery.Power Coalition organized dozens of organizations already working in the state on housing, criminal justice and workers’ rights issues to begin developing a road map to recovery.
“This crisis also gives us an opportunity to rebuild our systems from the ground up,” Ms. Shelton said, “in ways that serve everyone equally.”“This crisis also gives us an opportunity to rebuild our systems from the ground up,” Ms. Shelton said, “in ways that serve everyone equally.”
But the groups’ biggest effort is health care reform that addresses access, cost and medical bias. Mr. Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the National Medical Association released a manifesto on Wednesday proposing that high-risk groups, including African-Americans, be prioritized for Covid-19 testing.But the groups’ biggest effort is health care reform that addresses access, cost and medical bias. Mr. Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the National Medical Association released a manifesto on Wednesday proposing that high-risk groups, including African-Americans, be prioritized for Covid-19 testing.
Marc H. Morial, president of the National Urban League, watched as the number of infections and deaths soared in New Orleans, his hometown that he served as mayor for eight years.Marc H. Morial, president of the National Urban League, watched as the number of infections and deaths soared in New Orleans, his hometown that he served as mayor for eight years.
To him, New Orleans, not unlike Detroit or Chicago, was a preview of what could potentially happen in other cities. The comeback for black communities and businesses, he said, would be nearly impossible without government intervention. In addition, he said the creation of a national health care reform committee was the only way to ensure that the most vulnerable have access to care.To him, New Orleans, not unlike Detroit or Chicago, was a preview of what could potentially happen in other cities. The comeback for black communities and businesses, he said, would be nearly impossible without government intervention. In addition, he said the creation of a national health care reform committee was the only way to ensure that the most vulnerable have access to care.
“The disparities were something we have known about,” Mr. Morial said. “We have to rebuild our health care system, there is no way around it.”“The disparities were something we have known about,” Mr. Morial said. “We have to rebuild our health care system, there is no way around it.”
Richard A. Oppel Jr. contributed reporting.Richard A. Oppel Jr. contributed reporting.