What if the threat of racism spreads in ways similar to the spread of Covid-19? This is a question T.J. Tallie poses, a professor of African history at University of San Diego and friend, in 鈥�
During a pandemic we鈥檝e become aware that any of us can be an asymptomatic carrier of the virus, regardless of whether we feel sick. If for example we are infected with Covid-19, it doesn鈥檛 matter whether we believe the virus to be dangerous. We pose a threat simply by being physically present among other people, sharing the same air we breathe. We have learned to take precautions using masks, physical distancing, and adopting protocols to limit infection. Adopting protocols consistently has already helped limit the spread of Covid-19 and spared countless neighbours from sickness and death. Now we are doubling efforts to distribute vaccines over the coming weeks and months in order to ensure long-term health and wellbeing of millions of 91原创s.
Tallie asks, what if the threat of racism also spreads through asymptomatic carriers? As white people we carry within ourselves the threat of endangering the lives of Black folks and racialized neighbours. As asymptomatic carriers, it doesn鈥檛 matter whether we believe this to be the case because the effects are real.聽
Tallie refers to the now famous case of Amy Cooper threatening to call the police on Christian Cooper, while both were walking in New York鈥檚 Central Park, alleging an African American man was threatening her. An otherwise ordinary white woman, at a moment鈥檚 notice, was able to unleash the threat of death upon a stranger simply for being Black in a public park. It doesn鈥檛 matter whether Amy Cooper before or after this incident demonstrated any other overt signs of being racist. The virus of white supremacy is latent within her, just as it is within all of us as white folks. We know as white folks we are more likely to be believed by police in an interaction with a racialized person and at any moment we can use this power imbalance to our advantage, whatever our motives.聽
It is tempting for us in Canada to dismiss this as a phenomenon unique to the US. As we have watched Black Lives Matter protests erupt following the countless deaths of unarmed Black people including Eric Garner and Breonna Taylor. However, looking closer to home we see similar dynamics playing out. To name one example of racist violence, two 91原创 police officers were recently charged following the violent arrest of Jamiel Moore-Williams, a Black man, over a jaywalking violation in 2018. See also聽In Plain Sight, a recent report outlining systemic racism against Indigenous people in the BC healthcare system. The investigation was prompted in part by allegations that healthcare workers in a BC hospital were playing a 鈥済ame鈥� that included guessing the blood-alcohol content of Indigenous patients.
In the wake of these public reports and stories that reveal the dangers of asymptomatic lethality, there is the opportunity of working together. Instead of responding defensively, each of us has the opportunity to take stock of protocols to address systemic racism. Together we can build stronger and healthier communities in Victoria and beyond.
As a church leader I too have work to do. The congregation I serve has taken Covid-19 protocols seriously, cancelling in-person worship to protect the lives of other people. So too we continue looking at ways to counter the asymptomatic ways we spread racism in the church and communities. Together we can be better, so all our neighbours/opinion/blogs/spiritually-speaking-1.61091 lead healthy lives and flourish.
Lyndon Sayers is co-pastor at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Victoria
You can read more articles fron our interfaith blog, Spiritually Speaking, HERE
* This article was published in the print edition of the Times 91原创 on Saturday, December 19th 2020
Photo by聽听辞苍听
