Pandemics and Power
Written, Produced, and Edited By: Arambi Eyong, Afia Tyus, Alyssa Panton, K. Stawasz, Nora Marzouqa
Music: Cumbiac by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6428-cumbiac
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Episode 1: COVID-19 and Special Education
This episode discusses the hardships associated with creating a safe and effective learning environment for all children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students, teachers, and families must adapt to new forms of schooling amidst social distancing protocols, and these challenges are often amplified for students with disabilities. The episode features personal anecdotes and first-hand accounts from parents of children with
disabilities about the unique challenges they and their children face.
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Additional Resources:
- PBS Newshour: “The Challenge of Distance Learning for Parents of Children with Special Needs” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgxRoaAU6F0
- The Atlantic: “The Pandemic is a Crisis for Students with Special Needs” - https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2020/04/special-education-goes-remote-covid-19-pandemic/610231/
- Vox: “We Need to Talk About What School Closures Mean for Students with Disabilities” - https://www.vox.com/2020/8/6/21353154/schools-reopening-covid-19-special-education-disabilities
Episode 2: COVID-19 and Environmental Justice
In this episode, we dive into the environmental factors that contribute to the disproportionate incidence of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in minority communities. We explore the institutions and practices underlying the increased burden of pollution and other forms of environmental toxicity placed on communities of color. This episode features an interview with Kim Gaddy, an Environmental Justice Organizer for Clean Water Action of New Jersey. Through Gaddy’s experience as an advocate, mother, and resident of New Jersey, she speaks to the direct correlation between the environment and our health.
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Additional Resources:
- The Intercept: “What Racism Smells Like: Ravaged by COVID-19, Polluted Communities Demand Environmental Justice” - https://theintercept.com/2020/08/08/coronavirus-pollution-environmental-justice-racism/
- Title VI: “COVID-19 and Environmental Justice: A Call to Action” - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1psNFaclb21iLTyXZvqJP_DYWgBREvgKl1GjrIcCeHQM/edit
- Insider New Jersey: Environmental Justice Bill - https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/nj-assembly-senate-just-passed-national-precedent-setting-environmental-justice-bill-afternoon/
Episode 3: COVID-19 and Media Coverage
This episode is about the subjective language used by the West to describe the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the global south. We dive into how countries like Senegal and Rwanda are leading the charge in COVID-19 management and innovation, despite skeptical coverage by Western media that might have you believe otherwise. We listen to news coverage from throughout the pandemic to facilitate a larger
discussion about how the media plays an outsized role in shaping public opinion.
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Additional Resources:
- BBC: “Coronavirus: Europe at the Epicentre of the Pandemic” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQdYDkwtvoo&ab_channel=BBCNews
- Al Jazeera: “Are African Countries Staying Ahead of the Coronavirus? Inside Story” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot3bEm5aTwU
- CNN: “Rwanda to Reopen to International Flights on August 1st” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVV6JXbAgjs&ab_channel=QuestMeansBusiness