A Statement from the Inter-Ethnic Strategic Development Group (IESDG), a coalition represented by the five racial ethnic caucuses of the United Methodist Church.
IESDG unequivocally denounce the disturbing and continual use of the term “China or Chinese Virus”, correctly known as the COVID-19 virus. The term “China/Chinese Virus” is racially loaded and inaccurately depicts the global nature of the disease’s threat and the misuse of terms in effect targets and scapegoats several ethnic groups. We urge President Donald J. Trump and other public officials to discontinue the use of the term “China/Chinese Virus” so that misinformation and animosity will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity and sacred worth of every person and community.
The misinformation and the mislabeling of the COVID-19 continue to fuel anxiety, which in turn, escalates racists acts of xenophobia specifically against Asians, Asian-Americans and their communities. The COVID-19 virus and other pathogens do not discriminate between hosts based on gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, immigration status or others. The origin of any virus could have occurred in any country regardless of race or ethnicity.
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus of the United States Congress stated in February 26, 2020, “The best way to stop the spread of coronavirus is to wash your hands, not perpetuate racist stereotypes. We ask for your help in spreading this message, to help stem both the public health crisis and the deeply disturbing racism targeting the Asian American community.”
On Tuesday March 17th, 2020, Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that it was “absolutely wrong” for the Administration to label the 2019 novel coronavirus as the “China Virus.” The World Health Organization named the disease COVID-19 to deter associating the virus with a geographical location or select group of people, ultimately lead to their public stigmatization.
Since its inception in 1992, IESDG have endeavored to remain true to the charge, “to strategize toward the renewal of The United Methodist Church in recognition of the gifts of racial/ethnic minority persons and to advocate for justice ministries within the Church and the world,” among other things.
IESDG represents the five (5) national racial ethnic caucuses of The United Methodist Church:
- Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR)
- Methodist Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic/Latino American (MARCHA)
- National Federation of Asian American United Methodists (NFAAUM)
- Native American International Caucus (NAIC)
- Pacific Islander National Caucus of United Methodists (PINCUM)
I don’t support this article’s premise or its announcement being related to the “United Methodist Church”, but I do understand the IESDG’s charge; I simply need to find out if my apportionments are supporting this coalition.
Why wasn’t the use of Asian flu, West Nile flu, Hong Kong flue used by other presidents considered racist and xenophobic? Could it be that the liberal political correct crowd including the Trump haters have infiltrated my lifetime Methodist denomination? Do you really think if President Obama had used Chinese virus it would have been considered racist? Of course not.
The Methodist denomination needs to get out of politics and begin concentrating on making disciples for Jesus Christ.
Does this statement mean that if I say this virus originated from China, I am considered xenophobic? There are scores of other diseases that are identified by their place of origin. Nothing has been said about those names until President Trump used the term “Chinese virus.” For the record, I resent my denomination trying to tell me, a United Methodist, how to be politically correct in the face of facts to the contrary. I am especially upset that no mention was made of China’s attempts to hide this outbreak in the first place. My denomination is obviously trying to push a narrative. It’s no wonder we are having such huge separation anxieties.
THANK YOU THANK YOU
UNITED METHODIST’S COMING TOGETHER AND ANNOUNCING THAT IT WAS
ABSOLUTELY WRONG, – RACIST
FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO LABEL THE 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS AS THE “CHINA VIRUS’
Where did Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever come from ?
That is ridiculous.lets be honest and call it what it is and not try to be politically correct. It originated in wahun China. We can still love one another but be honest please.
What I got from this article is that the UMC is continuing to cement its Leftist credentials.
The UMC continues to cement its Leftist credentials.