By: Jasmine Gates
Changing Our Narrative
What I have perceived from the countless conversations I’ve engaged in with black millennials from around the country, is our lack of trust in the “stability” America assumes it offers. This was present before our current state of pandemic, so one can only imagine how we feel now that we are in the middle of something that has shifted life as we know it and without much support from the U.S. Federal Government. Our lack of trust has truly been amplified and it is evident through the various methods we as black millennials are having to cope in these trying times. Between those of us that are balancing working from home and keeping children busy with school assignments, while others without kids, and even some without jobs, but still have the weight of the world on our shoulders while so many of us fall somewhere in between. All in all we are having to rely on ourselves during this time as it shines a light on the intangible resources we have within our own community.
In the midst of all that is going on, we must understand building ourselves up as a community that can rely on each other is part of the required work. This is something we struggle with. But I have witnessed in our most recent mode of trying to survive, we have risen to the occasion. We have used the technology of our smart-phones and various social-digital platforms as a means to communicate. For example, Facebook, Instagram, Zoom and countless other forms of media, are now used to uplift one another physically, spiritually, mentally, and even financially.
So what happens when we exhibit this strength when all is well, when we are simply kind to each other not because we want the other to stay alive but because we want to see each other thrive. Not only will we survive the COVID-19 pandemic, but we will ensure that when strife does hit we will be the ones, not to save, but to prevent ourselves from being hit the hardest, like what is happening now.
As alarming as it sounds, the coronavirus has put the whole world on stand still. However, the most alarming information yet, are the statistics around black deaths. As a result, there has been a lot of talk around pre-existing conditions that are most prevalent in the black community, which are leading to the high mortality rate. However, an important takeaway, whenever we study black people in America, is to look at the pre- existing infrastructures and moral standards that have left so many of us in the most compromising environments, without a pandemic on the rise. Now with the coronavirus pandemic present and according to The New York Times and CNN, in Chicago black people account for 72% of the COVID-19 related deaths. In the state of Louisiana blacks are 70% of the deaths related to the virus and in Michigan blacks comprise 40% of the virus related deaths. In each of these states black people only represent between 15%-30% of the total population.
Now do not misunderstand what I am saying, – we play a significant part in our health and well being. And yes sometimes there are multiple contributing factors. But in this moment I want us to switch gears and realize the potential we have in combating those “pre-existing conditions” through ownership. I am speaking about ownership of our physical and mental health. Because whether we have allowed it or not, America has controlled those very two aspects for centuries and it has allowed us to catch ‘pneumonia’ every time white people catch a ‘cold’.
So, if we learn anything during this time it should be that we have the ability to change what has been our narrative. From the webinars, cooking tutorials, yoga sessions, bible studies, informative interviews and so much more, we are caring for one another by keeping each other accountable, informed and connected. So, as we continue in our own individual elements, stay safe and never forget how close we felt as a community in a time when we were forced to stay away.
