The conundrum concerning the South
Article:
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the display of national prejudices and stereotypes has been alarming, intensifying age-old divisions across the globe. The outbreak has served as a catalyst for the resurgence of these sentiments, with tragic consequences.
The situation in Wuhan, China, was initially met with a certain degree of humor and skepticism in Western countries. As the virus spread across the world, however, these presumptuous attitudes began to shift. The Italians, who once seemed to adopt the Chinese approach to the pandemic with surprising efficiency, soon found themselves under scrutiny as well.
Italy's response to the pandemic prompted a wave of criticism from other nations, with some questioning the country's organizational abilities. In response, Italians accused neighboring countries, particularly Germany, of underreporting COVID-19 deaths. This escalated into a heated debate on social media and talk shows, further exacerbating the already strained relations between nations.
However, the criticism of Italy was not the only instance of national prejudice during the pandemic. China was targets of various stereotypes, ranging from accusations of consuming live rats to praise for Xi Jinping's authoritarian response. Meanwhile, President Trump's suspicions about the origin of the virus only contributed to anti-Asian sentiments worldwide.
The pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of marginalized groups to discrimination. In the United States, there was a significant rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans due to the association of the virus with China. Immigrant communities also faced increased xenophobia as they were disproportionately affected by the pandemic[4].
Racial and ethnic disparities were highlighted during this period, with minorities facing increased discrimination. African American parents reported heightened concerns about discrimination affecting their children amidst the pandemic[2]. This discrimination was linked to mental health issues in children[2].
While caregivers' experiences with discrimination, known as vicarious discrimination, had a profound impact on children's behavior problems, the lack of strong social support further exacerbated these issues[2].
During such challenging times, it is crucial to remember the importance of solidarity and empathy among nations. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for inclusive policies and strong community networks during global crises.
[1]: Choi, H., & Lee, E. S. (2020). Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Hate Incidents and Stereotypic Associations Using Google Trends. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(7), e20713.[2]: Conger, R., Raver, C., Thaker, R., & Taylor, V. (2021). Caregivers' Racism-Related Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Children’s Internalizing and Externalizing Problems. Child Development, 92(2), e1474–e1485.[4]: Fiss, R., & Shoga, L. (2020). COVID-19 Crisis and Xenophobia: The Role of the Media. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 21(5), 943–959.[5]: Lin, X., Zhang, S., Chen, J., Luo, Y., & Wang, L. (2020). Stress and Anxiety as Risk Factors for Depression and Sleep Disturbance in Chinese Adults After the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: Trauma and Recovery Perspective. Karger Publishers.
- As the entertainment industry struggled to adapt in the wake of the pandemic, social media became a bustling market for discussions on movies, TV shows, and pop-culture, providing an escape for many while also perpetuating misinformation and fueling social prejudices.
- Amidst the growing tension between nations, the sphere of entertainment and pop-culture offered a rare avenue for cultural understanding and social-media diplomacy, as people from different regions found common ground in shared interests, fostering a sense of unity in an otherwise divided world.
