Hey there friend --

The outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States exposes just how deeply embedded anti-Blackness and racism are into the fabric of our country.

Since the pandemic began, Black people are three times as likely to contract COVID-19 and two times more likely to die of the virus [[link removed]] than white counterparts. Black communities also bear the brunt of the economic hardships, with Black folks facing higher rates of joblessness and Black businesses receiving significantly less in relief funding than other businesses.

But over the summer, an outpouring of pent-up grief, righteous rage, and injustice brought hundreds of thousands into the streets of cities across the country to demand real change on issues of racial justice and police brutality -- proving that even amidst unprecedented times, the hunger for a truly equitable nation cannot be silenced or quelled.

I don’t want to give the impression that everything before or since the protests around real change this summer is “doom and gloom,” though. Since the early days of the pandemic, the Black community has cultivated spaces where Black joy flourishes [[link removed]] -- even while in isolation.

But we need a bold economic relief plan that truly meets the moment to help the families who are struggling the most right now -- predominantly those in Black and Brown communities.

It’s imperative to fight alongside the Black community for equity and justice during the entire year, not just during Black History Month. That’s never been more apparent than it is now, as the pandemic perpetuates inequity across the nation at an alarming rate. Call your senators right now to demand they pass full and fair relief, fast. [[link removed]]

So -- here are some more ways you can get involved:

→ Learn more about how the U.S. can begin to rectify the racism and sexism codified in our economy by reading a timely study, Black Women Best: The Framework We Need for an Equitable Economy. [[link removed]]

→ Watch Rebuilding the House Anti-Blackness Built in Our COVID Response [[link removed]] to find out more from panelists and the Economic Policy Institute on how COVID-19 responses can provide real aid to the communities most impacted by the pandemic.

→ Use Health Care Voter’s tool to demand a real relief package [[link removed]] that truly meets the needs of Americans and will uplift communities.

→ Share the poignant words of poet Aleah Bradshaw [[link removed]] on the long and entangled histories of tax legislation and anti-Blackness.

Ensuring equitable treatment for the Black community is a fundamental part of the fight for a democracy and economy that work for all people. We have to lift each other up -- because people working together are greater than the challenges we face.

I’m committed to being a partner in this work, and PeopleGreater will be back soon with more ways you can get involved.

In solidarity --

Emi and the PeopleGreater team



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