There’s no soft way of putting it. We are in a crisis that is bigger and scarier than anything we’ve ever faced before. Our country’s leadership has failed. We’re facing health and financial challenges that are only now beginning to become clear. Nevertheless, we are not powerless. I’m reminded of something one of my mentors says, “When something scary is looming, face it, acknowledge it, plan for it.” So in that spirit, what are we facing?
- This virus and the disease it causes is here, in every state, in every community. We have no idea how long it will last. Someone you know may already be infected.
- Young people are NOT immune from it, and it can kill us. It can also harm our health for life.
- We can feel healthy and still be carrying it. And we can feel healthy and pass it on to others in our lives.
- We’ve known that the most vulnerable among us have always been on the brink. Though this virus doesn’t discriminate, the financial and health implications of being sick, unemployed, and/or uninsured do discriminate.
- The world as we know it is changed forever. Some of those changes are out of our control, yet there are some we can influence.
Code2040 is fighting for racial equity, in tech and in our society as a whole. Racial equity means that race doesn’t statistically determine how well we fare (source: Center for Assessment and Policy Development). In a world where our people are more likely to die early, be targeted by law enforcement and imprisoned, and receive poor medical treatment, a world with racial equity means life or death. Racial equity means that those of us without fame would also have access to coronavirus tests. It means our siblings without housing wouldn’t die without care because they have no option to isolate inside. It means our trans family don’t go without necessary medical care because they’ve been laid off from their jobs. It means as we prepare to fight this disease, we don’t forget about those imprisoned at the border or by racist legislative systems. In this moment, racial equity means survival of our people.
It’s time for us to lead
The Code2040 team is hard at work, adapting and responding to our new reality. In the meantime, here are some things we all can do right now.
ACTION ITEMS:
- We can stay the hell at home so that we stay healthy and honor the health of others.
- We can share and re-share information and resources to make sure they reach the most at-risk and unplugged communities.
- We can stand with API (Asian-Pacific Islanders) communities who have had our back as we have faced police violence, xenophobia, and attempts to divide us as people of color. Let us confront racism and stop the spread of misinformation against our API comrades whenever we see it.
- We can reach out to each other with love, group texts, remote streaming parties, handmade cards and art projects. Let us pull each other closer.
What We’re Working On
Code2040 is here for you. Now is the time for our community to rally together to support one another. Now is the time to take even better care of yourself. And we’ve got your back!
We are experiencing a collective realization that our systems are broken and that they only work to benefit a select few. As we take care of ourselves, our families, and our collective health, we must also remember the important work of transforming our systems, imagining other ways of being, and serving the communities who will be exponentially impacted during this time. We are keeping these factors at the forefront as we plan our work for the future.
Community Yoga and Meditation
The good news is, though we are social distancing, we are facing this together. Over the last week, our focus at Code2040 has shifted to how we stay connected and engaged through uncertainty, change, and distance. We’re starting with virtual yoga and meditation!
Join us this Thursday, March 26, from 3–4 PT/6–7 EST for our first of 6 weekly yoga sessions led by Alia Peera. And next week, we’re kicking off Tuesday meditation sessions to help reduce anxiety and share healing space virtually. These live-streamed sessions will be free and open to the community!
Code2040 Summer Programs
While we still don’t know how our programs and events will be impacted by social distancing and mandatory quarantines, we are working hard to plan a summer filled with community and engagement. Stay tuned for updates!
Resourcing the Community
Here is a list of Covid-19 Community Resources for everyone affected by the virus. This is a living document that we will be updating the list as new resources and information become available.
Much love from the Code2040 team.
Be safe. Be well.
In solidarity,
Mimi Fox Melton
VP of Programs
