FEATURE
A PANDEMIC WITHIN A PANDEMIC:
ADDRESSING MARGINALIZED AND MINORITIZED COMMUNITIES TO FOSTER RECOVERY by David McKay Wilson
In six sketches that follow, College alumni share—personally and professionally— how long-standing disparities in marginalized and minoritized communities have exacerbated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. They expose the pandemic not just as a health crisis, but also a human, economic and social crisis. And they suggest approaches for healing.
ANNE KATHRYNE BELOCURA, MS/BIOMED ’20 (DO ’25) (PCOM GEORGIA) Community Organizer, ANSWER Coalition; Medical Assistant, Viral Solutions, Decatur, Georgia “There’s an idea that’s pervasive in American culture that Asians are a monolith. That’s what has helped my healing [as a Filipina whose family emigrated to Albany, Georgia, when I was 8]—helping to organize protests and mass demonstrations that spread awareness about the upsurge in anti-Asian violence. Anti-Asian hate crimes have increased by 150 percent, as Asians have been scapegoated in the pandemic . . . . At these demonstrations, community activists from grassroots organizations are building coalitions, working across racial lines and nationalities because we understand that we are stronger when we’re united. Recently, I’ve helped to organize a pan-Asian cultural festival in Decatur, Georgia, where we featured speakers and performances from different Asian communities. What’s been really important for everyone to acknowledge is that it isn’t just Asian people who attend these events. It’s always a diverse group of people who come out to support us. It has been so inspiring to have been able to connect with people,
20
PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
to talk about our unspoken truths—and the discrimination that so many minorities face. . . . I plan to return to PCOM in the fall to begin classes toward my osteopathic medical degree. I’ve worked this year at a COVID testing site where I’ve seen that the virus doesn’t discriminate. At my work, I’ve observed that there are patients—often immigrants and Black people—who are more distrustful of medical doctors, which is understandable. Sadly, the medical field has done people of color a disservice with a history of discriminatory practices and unethical research practices. . . . I’m considering a career in primary care/internal medicine. I want to be on the first line of defense for patients, to be able to form relationships with them and help educate the community. I would like the opportunity to help bridge the gap between the medical profession and marginalized communities who have been hurt. Acknowledging the racist history in the medical field is the first step toward that healing. What would follow would require us to listen to our communities and ask the people how we can serve them, which would entail a greater degree of humility from healthcare providers. . . . One initiative that my organization has been doing is registering people in the West End Atlanta neighborhood, which is predominantly Black, to get vaccinated. As expected, we’re getting some pushback because of misinformation, but it’s essential to do this
