“Being Black or Brown does not increase one’s chances of contracting COVID-19, but systemic racism does.”
See below to learn more about…
COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on communities of color and how this is connected to systemic racism.
Actions you can take as an individual during COVID-19 to combat racism on the many levels it manifests.
Local organizations working toward equity during COVID-19 and how you can support them.
Why businesses of color were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and how to find and support businesses of color in Greater Boston.
We are truly living in unprecedented times. That said, this novel virus is exposing the age-old patterns of racism, xenophobia, and systemic inequalities. As we seek the Lord for how to respond to COVID-19 and reorient ourselves to this new reality, let's consider how racism is shaping our communities and how we can work to counter its impact through practical actions and compassionate faith.
Please see below to learn more about COVID-19's disproportionate impact on communities of color and concrete steps you can take to work against racism.
COVID-19'S Impacts on Communities of Color
The Intersection Between Systemic Racism & COVID-19
“The fact of the matter is that racism has created an uneven playing field. COVID-19 is only making these disparities worse.”
COVID-19 is no respecter of persons. Anyone, of any race, can be infected and even die—a reality that makes us mindful of our shared humanity. And yet, the coronavirus has had a disproportionate impact on people of color, both through its strain on already racially biased social systems, and because people of color are more likely than White people to be infected and die from COVID-19. This disproportionate impact is true in Boston and in our country at large.
These wide-spread disparities are not caused by anything inherent in people of color. Nor are they caused by some imagined "collective negligence" on the part of Black and brown people. Rather, they are the result of racist systems that were built into the infrastructure of our nation.
Being Black or Brown does not increase one's chances of contracting COVID-19, but systemic racism does.
HOW COVID-19 & Systemic Racism Interact
| Many people of color… | This connects to systemic racism because… |
|---|---|
| Serve as essential workers, work multiple jobs in different locations, or hold jobs that cannot be done from home, thus increasing one's exposure to COVID-19. | A long history of job discrimination has not given black and brown people the same professional opportunities as White people. Click here to see one example of how racism poses obstacles to people of color's job prospects today. |
| Have higher rates of pre-existing conditions like asthma, obesity, and heart disease that can amplify the impact of COVID-19. | These diagnoses are linked to discrimination-related stressors correlated with long-term adverse health outcomes. They are also fueled by environmental racism and the lack of access to healthy and affordable food that is more common in communities of color. |
| Reside in higher-density neighborhoods or housing where COVID-19 can spread more easily. | Living conditions have been shaped by a long history of race-based housing discrimination in the US that continues today. |
| May experience obstacles to accessing COVID-related information and care in their primary language. | Our society centers on the needs, values, and interests of English-speaking White people. This focus can leave the needs of those on the margins unmet. |
| Receive inferior medical treatment that can result in unnecessary consequences, including death. | Implicit biases and long-standing racial inequities persist in the U.S. healthcare system. |
The fact of the matter is that racism has created an uneven playing field. COVID-19 is making these disparities worse.
In addition, while people may be doing their best to social-distance, social distancing in itself is a privilege. It takes a measure of privilege, for example, to be able to work from home, have private transportation, and to afford masks and gloves, etc. Our Black and brown brothers and sisters are less likely to experience these privileges and more likely to participate in social distancing at a higher cost.
“Social distancing in itself is a privilege.”
The Impact of Systemic Racism on the Ground: Far and Wide
Click on the map to see the full PDF report from the Boston Public Health Commission.
Systemic racism is amplifying the impact of COVID-19 on our city. To learn about a few of the ways COVID is impacting communities of color in Boston, check out:
A recent episode of Basic Black featuring State Rep. Liz Miranda, Erica Lee, Ph.D., Edith Bazile and Phillip Martin as they discuss the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color in Boston.
A two-part Boston Black Townhall meeting (Click here for Part 1 & Part 2) that features Black clergy, activists, and scholars addressing racial disparities in Boston, the impact it is having on them during COVID-19 and where to go from here.
"What The Pandemic Is Doing To My Boston Neighborhood" by Boston City Councilor Andrea Campbell.
Interpersonal Racism and the Asian American Community
Map of racist incidents against Asian people during the COVID-19 pandemic, created by Harvard University grad students. Click on the image to see an updated map and full article.
In addition to the broad impact of systemic racism, Asian-Americans are being targeted through interpersonal racism ranging from inappropriate comments to violent hate crimes. Check out this personal account about anti-Asian racism in San Francisco and see where similar incidents have been identified and mapped in Boston and beyond.
These incidents are fueled by a wrong association between Asian people and COVID-19. This is part of a long history of disease being racialized in ways that perpetuate lies and uphold inequality. Check out NPR's "As Coronavirus Spreads, Racism And Xenophobia Are Too" to learn more.
In addition to the harm these lies have caused to Asian-people’s bodies and dignity, they have had an unequal impact on their businesses. Asian-owned businesses have taken an especially hard hit because COVID-related fears slowed business well ahead of the shelter-in-place orders.
RCCI affirms the AACC's call for the Church to address anti-Asian racism:
While people of all races are impacted by systemic racism, the rise of interpersonal racism against the Asian-American community must be named and addressed with intentionality and care.
RCCI encourages you to read and consider signing this statement:
Click here to to the AACC statement.
Racism Kills: Racial Disparities in Infection and Deaths in Boston
Not only has COVID-19 had a disproportionate impact on people of color generally through its strain on various social systems, but people of color are more likely to be infected and die from COVID than White people.
Click on the graph to read the full article in the Boston Globe.
COVID-19 is infecting, harming, and killing people of color at a higher rate than White people. For example, as of May 16th, 2020...
Even though Black people represent 25% of Boston's population, they represent 39% of known infected persons and 36% percent of known deaths.
In Massachusetts, Latino residents are 3.1 times more likely to test positive for COVID compared to a White resident.
As the death rate increased across Massachusetts in early April, it surged nearly 40 percent higher in cities and towns with the largest concentrations of people of color compared to those with the least.
Racial disparities are reflected in the fact that Boston neighborhoods with higher concentrations of people of color, like Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, and East Boston, are experiencing higher rates of infection. Click here to see a neighborhood map of reported cases of COVID-19.
Similar data for the state of Massachusetts can be found in a mid-June report here.
For generations, people have been crying out against the racism in our social systems that value White humanity over the humanity of all others. It is in the disproportionate infection, harm, and death of people of color that the fruit of these unjust social systems become undeniably clear.
Systemic racism is death-dealing. As the Church, we must continue to take action to protect human life and to protect our shared humanity.
COVID-19’s Impact on businesses of color
COVID has not only impacted community’s physical health, but their economic well being as well. See below to learn more about how businesses of color have been disproportionately impacted during COVID-19 and concrete steps you can take to support them in our take action section. RCCI offers special thanks to Ed Gaskin, the Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets, for offering his perspective and making significant contributions to strengthening our webpage. Thanks to his help, we could better reflect the reality small business owners of color are experiencing on the ground.
As of mid-April, 26% of Asian-, 32% of Hispanic- and 41% of Black-owned businesses have closed in the US. This is compared to 17% of White businesses that have closed in the same time frame. Businesses may or may not re-open.
This is due to compounding disadvantages like...
The Racial Wealth Gap: When businesses come upon hard times, having a financial buffer can make the difference between staying open and shutting down. Unfortunately, businesses of color are less likely to have that buffer, shaped in part by Boston's racial wealth gap. This gap has been shaped by generations of inequitable lending and opportunities and results in entrepreneurs of color having access to less financial capital in their social networks, including less access to business investors. This issue is further compounded by the fact that Black and Hispanic people are under represented in tech industries and other high money-making industries of the future that could build wealth in communities of color.
Lack of Integration of Businesses of Color into Boston's Economy: Businesses of color are not as well integrated into the larger, predominantly White-led economic systems of our city. For example, certain sectors, like travel, sports, entertainment, higher education, and construction, function largely independently from small businesses in communities of color. Furthermore, when major employment opportunities and business arise, they are less likely to go to businesses of color. For example, in 2019, only 1% of the $664 million that the city of Boston awarded in contracts for construction and goods and services went to minority- or women-owned businesses. Similar challenges are found in the private sector as well. Too often, businesses of color are left out. Realities like many businesses of color being micro-businesses, having contracted employees, and having a diversity of interests, pose obstacles to them organizing around and advocating for their needs.
Fears & Biases: Deep - and sometimes unconscious - biases can shape where we frequent and how we spend our money, especially during COVID-19. For example, because of wrong associations between COVID-19 and people of Chinese descent, public fears slowed business for Asian-American restaurants well ahead of the shelter-in-place orders. By mid-April, the pandemic wrought significant consequences and closures in Boston's Chinatown community.
The Inequitable Design of Federal Funding: The current economic stimulus initiatives represent the largest direct transfer of wealth from the federal government in US history. Like so many other wealth-building initiatives, however, they are not as accessible to people of color, by default and design. As of May 12th, only 12% of Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses received federal assistance. This was shaped in part by realities like how the Paycheck Protection Program, and the pathways designed for people to access it, were structured in ways that disadvantaged small business owners of color.
| In the first round of PPP: | Obstacles to People of Color: |
|---|---|
| Many major lenders opted to give preference to larger businesses. This allowed these businesses to apply first for first-come, first-served funds. | Businesses of color are often sole proprietorships and are more likely to be smaller than their White counterparts. |
| PPP applicants were required to go through a pre-approved lender (e.g. banks, credit-unions). These lenders initially gave preference to existing customers. | Businesses of color are less likely to have commercial banking relationships. This is shaped by obstacles to gaining small business loans and broken trust on account of a long-history of racially discriminatory lending that continues today. |
Adjustments were made to be more inclusive for the second round of PPP applications, but not before many business owners of color missed out on the first round of federal funding.
| Ongoing Structural Issues: | Obstacles to People of Color: |
|---|---|
| PPP info and applications were not readily available in business owners' primary language. Click here to explore a deep dive of challenges that the Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets had to navigate to get info to business owners. | This made info less accessible to and delayed the application process for business owners who do not speak English as their first language. By the time many business owners navigated these obstacles, money had run out for the 1st round of funding. |
| PPP funding has restrictions on how it can be used and recipients must repay, with interest, any amount that cannot be used within a limited timeframe for eligible purposes. | This discouraged some businesses of color from applying because, if they had to downsize or close (which is more likely compared to White businesses), they would be less able to use the money within the guidelines and time frame needed to avoid repayment with interest. |
| The PPP excludes business owners who are currently involved in the criminal justice system or have been involved within the last 5 years. | This has a disproportionate impact on business owners of color due to over-policing in communities of color and other factors that contribute to mass incarceration. |
Taking Action Against Racism During the Covid-19 Crisis
“Systemic racism is death-dealing.”
Cry Out: Spiritual Responses to COVID-19
Let us begin this action in ways that root us in the biblical tradition and orient us to God. Please please join RCCI as we...
Lament. Cry out to God. Declare that racism is not right. Invite the One who went to the cross into the pain and brokenness you are experiencing. We invite you to explore this guided lament, United? We Mourn: A COVID-19 Lament, that explores the intersection between COVID-19 and racism.
Pray that...
People of color will be empowered to navigate and overcome the results of racism that are amplifying the impact of COVID-19 in their communities.
White people who are not aware of the impacts of systemic racism would be awakened to these realities and respond in ways that further God's redemptive work in the world.
God would continue to use his people as channels for racial healing and justice.
Stand in Solidarity. We are one city. We are one body. In times like these especially, we need to stand with the most vulnerable among us and ask God to knit us into community.
Ways to Counter Internalized and Interpersonal Racism
Check out this article on how to interrupt racism when you see it happening in the age of coronavirus.
If you're an Asian person who has experienced hate crimes related to COVID-19, consider reporting it here.
Be it with family at home or a group you convene online, learn with others through this simple lesson plan that corrects racist beliefs related to COVID-19 and the Asian-American community.
Care for yourself so you can better care for others. Click here for an article with suggestions for self-care, written to people of color.
Check in with people of color, build community, support one another.
Ways to Counter Institutional and Systemic Racism
Support businesses owned by people of color by using their services or buying gift cards. Explore a list of businesses open during the pandemic. Identify local restaurants owned by people of color and black-owned businesses here.
Reach out to your local leaders to advocate for policies that support communities of color in areas where they are experiencing extra strain as a result of COVID-19. Click here for 10 policy Recommendations to Temper the Impact of Coronavirus on Communities of Color from the NAACP.
Donate time, talent, and money to local mutual aid networks that distribute resources to those in most need.
Check out this list of equity and justice-oriented resources with categories like "healing and community care" and "organizing and solidarity" to inspire and inform your actions.
Learn about Boston-based resources to support churches and people impacted by COVID-19. Spread the word to get information and help to those most in need.
Support Local Organizations Working Toward Racial Equity During COVID-19
As you seek the Lord for how to continue his healing work in the midst of the pandemic, RCCI invites you to explore these Boston-based organizations that are working toward racial equity and striving to meet the needs of communities of color. Please consider lifting up your prayers, giving of your time and talent, and making financial donations. The time for action is now.
The Mass. Council of Churches (MCC) is raising money to redistribute to churches with a priority on the financial, practical, and relational support of immigrant, Black, poor, unhoused, and unaffiliated churches. Click here to donate. In addition, MCC has created an online database where Christians can share skills they have to offer and connect with people who might meet their needs.
Asian Community Emergency Relief Fund
The Asian Community Development Corporation, in collaboration with numerous partners, is raising money to provide immediate and direct financial support to Asian-Americans who have lost work, are having trouble meeting their basic needs, and may not be eligible for other public benefits. Donate here.
Black Ministerial Alliance Crisis Fund
The Black Ministerial Alliance, in partnership with Vision New England, is raising money to support Black churches and their communities during COVID-19. Click here to donate and specify that money is to go to the BMA crisis fund via the pull down "campaign" menu.
Agencia ALPHA is working hard to provide information and resources, such as food, emergency financial assistance, and wellness calls & follow up care, to Hispanic and Latino communities in Eastern Massachusetts. They are housed at Congregation Lion of Judah and have a focus on advocacy and legal assistance for immigrant populations. Click here to donate.
Mass Communities Action Network (MCAN)
MCAN is working hard to pass legislation that protects the most vulnerable among us. They contributed to the passing of the recent moratorium on evictions and are now working to see low-level offenders and ICE detainees released from facilities where, because of mass incarceration and anti-immigration sentiments, disproportionate numbers of people of color are kept in conditions ripe for the spread of COVID-19. Click to donate or learn more about how you can help pass life-giving legislation.
Violence in Boston (VIB) Meal Program
Started by a Black mother in partnership with a Black-owned business (Food for the Soul), VIB's meal program delivers between 1,500 - 1,700 lunches and dinners to Boston Public School students and their families each day. They'll continue to do this as long as funds last (it costs $3,500/day!). Show your support with a donation today.
Daily Table provides fresh and affordable food to the Codman and Dudley Square communities (36% less than their competitors!). During COVID-19 they have raised their workers hourly wage to $15/hr. and participated in free grocery and prepared meal distribution programs. Thus far they've served 15,600 people 127,000 free and healthy meals. Support them by shopping at one of their stores or click here to donate.
Community Health Centers
Many community health centers have been transformed into COVID-19 testing facilities that offer free tests to all regardless of insurance or immigration status. They are working hard to make sure that their communities, many of which are communities of color, have access to the tests and treatment they need. Many of these sites have given up their main income streams to serve the community during this crisis and are in need of personal protective equipment and funds to continue caring for the physical well-being of our city. Find your closest Boston-based testing site here and reach out to see how you can support.
support businesses of color
As Greater Boston continues to open, there is much work that needs to be done to rebuild our communities and ensure they reopen in ways that nurture justice and equity. One way you can contribute to this is by supporting businesses owned by people of color.
support businesses of color today!
You can help work toward racial equity by supporting Black and brown businesses in Greater Boston. Consider doing this by...
Spending Intentionally: We all spend money regularly: Groceries, take out, gas personal care, home repair, gift giving etc.
Where could you make a few shifts in your normal routine to direct the money you are already spending to support businesses of color?
How might you influence the purchasing patterns in your workplace, church, or other communities of which you are a part to get money in the hands of Black and brown businesses?
Pick one or two areas where you can make a change and stick to it. Every dollar counts in this critical moment, and long-term changes in how you spend your money really add up.
Eating Out: When you eat out, commit to supporting restaurants owned by Black and brown people. Delivery services like Grub Hub, Foodler, or Uber Eats can help bring food from businesses of color to you, even if there aren't restaurants owned by people of color in your neighborhood. Consider making an extra effort to travel to restaurants that don't have delivery (they may need your support the most!), but be sure to check to see if they have space to eat in and plan accordingly.
Bringing Others Along: Don't eat alone! If you're getting food from a business owned by people of color, consider...
Asking family, friends, and neighbors if they want to join in on a group order. This provides more business and can allow you to split delivery fees or, if you pick the food up yourself, remove that obstacle for others.
Doing a weekly office run to pick up food from restaurants owned by people of color.
Encouraging people to fellowship together at a restaurant owned by a person of color after church once a month.
As the need for catering returns, remember businesses of color!
Purchase Gift Certificates: Even if you don't need or would prefer not to use a certain service at the moment, purchasing gift certificates for you and others can get your money into the hands of Black and brown business owners at this critical time.
See below for businesses of color to support and spend your money in ways that work toward equity!
business highlight: building the black block
Written by Leslie Moore
After the round of publicized killings of black men nearly 5 years ago, local Black Lives Matter leaders connected with Black Rhode Island entrepreneurs to imagine an impactful, lasting response to the challenges of discrimination and injustice experienced by the Black community. A creative strategy emerged to use a small amount of resources to build a sizable hub of Black-owned property and businesses and Black-managed community structures that would effectively build community wealth and wellbeing. Another goal of this hub was to give the Northeast region an opportunity to experience a fuller picture of black people as they shared their rich cultural heritage and unique creativity that is the result of surviving centuries of oppression. In the last year, the hub has launched a black owned mini-mall called Still on Main. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hub developers built several shared commercial kitchens in the mall so that families and individuals with cooking and baking skills could cook, sell and cater food in their communities for income. The hub is located in downtown Pawtucket, RI. It is affectionately called “The Black Block” and leaders hold hopes that it will be a model for more hubs across the country.
Listen to the Perspectives of People of Color
Media shapes the way we see and engage with our world. When learning about the experiences of people of color, make sure you're listening to people of color. Click here for a list of COVID-related news coverage written by Black and brown writers and reporters.
A Call to Action
We are one city with different experiences, challenges, assets, and opportunities. As an interconnected society, we are only as strong as the most vulnerable among us. In this season, we don’t need equality. We need equity to make sure we are all healthy and whole.
Ask yourself, what can I do? How can I give out of what I do have to make sure that the Boston emerging from the pandemic is healthier, stronger, and more equitable than before?
We can all do something. Please prayerfully consider how to honor God in this moment and take action now.
Connect with the Race & Christian Community Initiative
Learn more about EGC’s Race & Christian Community Initiative.
Sign up for RCCI's newsletter for quarterly ministry updates and feature pieces like resources on COVID-19.
Get regular emails about race-related learning & action opportunities hosted by organizations in Greater Boston.
What resources do you know about? Suggest them for this “COVID-19 & Churches: Action Against Racism” resource page or for any of EGC’s “COVID-19 & Churches” resource pages.
