As the coronavirus continues to spread globally, unfortunately xenophobia increases like a plague. I noticed there was an increase of racial discrimination towards Chinese people. People (including the most powerful man in the world) began calling it the “Chinese Virus” “The China Flu”, “The Kung Flu” and referring to Chinese people as “Corona Carriers”. I felt compelled to write about how great an impact words have in shaping the minds of our society. As the virus spread so did the harmful stereotyping of people of Asian descent.
During a global emergency, many people are running to social media to speak their minds and figure out what they should do next. This has created the spread of falsified information regarding Covid-19. This, however, is not the first time this has occurred. In 2014, the outbreak of Ebola increased the stereotyping and discrimination of Africans. These stereotypes are just a way for people to make sense of what they do not understand. It’s a way for them to put the blame on someone else.
In an unprecedented time like this, the world should be coming together to help find a cure, not tear each other a part. As a journalist, the best way we can help prevent xenophobia, is to quit perpetrating it. We need to tell stories without bias and with as many facts as possible. Providing the facts creates less room for others to fill in the gaps. It’s important we also reach out to Asian communities in our area that are being affected by xenophobia either financially, physically, emotionally, or mentally. As journalists, we have the power to help shift or completely change the narrative by telling both sides of the story and by holding those who make racist comments or actions accountable.
As an Afro-Latina woman I understand why marginalized communities feel misrepresented and overlooked in the media. When telling stories about police brutality resulting in the death of a Black person, I will not use a picture or any language that paints an idea that the victim deserved to die while simultaneously using an image or an language that the police officer is a “family person” that “wouldn’t harm a fly”. I will not paint Muslims as a threat to American society. I will not paint Hispanics as “thugs” that deserve to be ripped away from their families and held captive by ICE. I will not perpetuate the ignorant idea that because the coronavirus began in Wuhan, China, all Chinese individuals are to be discriminated against, ridiculed, or made to feel guilty. I will work to give a voice to the voiceless.
* Completed for “Introduction to Public Relations”. This is a piece created during quarantine during the rise of xenophobia catered towards those who may want to know why it was occurring. This is an individual writing piece where I was able to educate others after researching the topic as well as sharing my own opinion.
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