Thoughts on Engagement
Leon Hoang
Mr. Roddy
IHSS
4 April 2020
Thoughts on Engagement
For my engagement on the topic of xenophobia due to infectious diseases, I think it is very important topic right now because of the COVID-19 virus that is currently ravaging the planet. Usually when there is some sort of crisis, there is usually blame, and like some epidemics in the past such as the "Spanish flu" and "Haitian HIV/AID" the blame usually goes to either the origin or place where the epidemic was strongest. For the coronavirus, that meant the place of its origin, Wuhan, China. Also at the time, before the United States took over China had the most cases in the world about 80,000 until it peaked. So it was understandable that many people would associate the virus with China, so it was better known as the "Chinese Virus". This blaming happened worldwide on social media, news, and other places. Chinese people were avoided and harassed even if they had no contact with the virus at all. The point is I think it is important to make sure that everyone knows that even though the virus originated in Wuhan it's pointless and incorrect to think that it only affects Chinese people.
So, for my engagement project I am thinking to either do a blog that outlines why xenophobia is not the answer or maybe online or physical posters about it. I am interested in contacted several Chinese representatives like Mr. Gene Wu, who is a member of the Texas House of Representatives as Mr. Zhou suggested. He has been vocal against xenophobia for this epidemic so far. I think my project should serve as a good reminder that we are all together in this epidemic.
Comments
Post a Comment