Giving Compass' Take:

• The MacArthur Foundation President shares how the foundation and its partners are combatting racism in various ways as COVID-19 spreads throughout the U.S. 

• How can you encourage your community to address racism in the wake of COVID-19?

• Read more on how to support Asian-American communities during this time. 

Times of crisis reveal values in ways that little else can.

We have witnessed incredible unity in every community, city, country, and continent, as people work together to safeguard our collective health and well-being and slow the spread of a global pandemic.

We have also seen fear, paranoia, and blame, disproportionately directed toward Asians and Asian Americans. What we are facing is not only a humanitarian crisis; it is a crisis of racism.

Racism is a contagion that existed long before COVID-19. Unlike the rapidly evolving novel coronavirus, we know the antidote to racism.

It starts with naming it.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ) has created a series of resources in response to the way Asian Americans have been targeted by racism and xenophobia related to the coronavirus.

In addition to documenting, tracking, and addressing hate, AAAJ is working with media, members of Congress, and partner organizations to ensure the public stays informed. “Words matter. Deliberate use of names for COVID-19 like ‘Chinese virus’ or ‘Chinese Coronavirus’ is racist and irresponsible—it only spreads stigma and fear and increases the violent xenophobic attacks on the Asian American community,” one of its statements reads.

In a joint response to COVID-19 from Chicago’s affinity philanthropy organizations, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, MacArthur and others were called on to implement practices that advance equity and trust.

Read the full article about racism during COVID-19 by John Palfrey at MacArthur Foundation.