Who is My Neighbor?
by Ashanti Pettaway
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)
“It’s always about race isn't it? When will you stop making everything about race?” These are the thoughts that came to mind as I prepared to write about the disparity between African Americans and other ethnicities in COVID-19 deaths. I feared, as an African American, I’d be accused of preaching a social gospel, race-baiting, or click-baiting. And because of that, my words wouldn’t be heard or received. At the same time, why should I let people’s false assumptions or even my own false assumptions deter me from writing on the subject? Well if you are reading this blog, you can see I decided to go for it. So let us begin!
When the news of COVID-19 hit, we were all caught off guard. We didn’t quite know how to respond. There were countless blogs, posts, news segments, and articles with a mix of truth and lies. As rumors and conspiracy theories spread, many of us didn’t know who or what to believe. Rumors of Africans and African Americans having immunity to it only lead to a delayed response within the African American community. Not only have we found out that it isn't true, but in fact, recent data reveals that we (African Americans) are dying at an alarming rate with COVID-19. To put this into perspective, according to various studies done by John Hopkins University, state health departments, and the American Community Survey, African Americans make up 26% of the Milwaukee population, yet they account for 73% of COVID-19 deaths. These numbers are almost mirrored in Louisiana (32% and 70%), Chicago (32% and 67%), and Michigan (14% and 41%). These numbers reveal a great disparity. But it is not a new disparity. Anthony Fauci, director of National Institute of Infectious Disease had this to say, “Health disparities have always existed for the African American community. But here again with the crisis, it's shining a bright light on how unacceptable that is.” These alarming stats have merely brought to light the existing disparities found in the African American community.
Many people who aren’t African American might only think about this issue for a second and then move on to something new. Why? Because it doesn’t impact them directly. They don’t have to feel it on a personal level. Which, quite frankly, is what happens to many of us when we hear unpleasant news of injustice or pain. It is easier to just ignore and live our lives. But that response is unacceptable for those of us who follow Christ, as it mirrors the priest of the Levite in the story of the good Samaritan. We cannot be those who pass by suffering on the road, simply because that person doesn’t look like our neighbor. We all need to respond. And in order to do so, we must not only be aware of the situation, but we need to understand how it has come about. I believe there are three significant issues that have led to the disparity we are facing right now. First, preexisting health conditions and poverty, second work inequality, and third, housing limitations.
Pre-Existing health issues:
I know there are many out there whose first thought is, “African Americans just need to eat healthier. If they just stopped eating all that fried and sugary food, they wouldn’t have so many health problems.” And you know what, that would help. But the person who says this is likely unfamiliar with what it’s like to live in poverty. When you are low income (which I know from personal experience as an adult) and have multiple mouths to feed, you don’t have the luxury or access to eating the healthiest food. Nutritious or organic food is often 2–3 times more expensive. Yes, one could purchase a bag of quinoa for $6, but when you barely make enough money to pay rent, one is more likely to purchase 6 boxes of mac & cheese for $.98 apiece. Not to mention the limited access to affordable and nutritious food found in the African American communities. It is a travesty that these communities almost all have walking access to multiple liquor and convenience stores, but not walking access to fresh greens.
This isn’t new information. This has been an issue that dates back to slavery. In K.E. Vance’s honor thesis on culture, food, and racism, she states, “Before the first slaves arrived in America in 1619, their cuisine was plant-based, natural, and healthful components. During their introduction to the Americas, Africans were exposed to harsh conditions on slave ships and on plantations.” During slavery, slaves were forced to “adapt and change their food ways creatively as they encountered new nutritional sources, disease, and work environments” (Bower, 2007, p. 35). Over time, they “transformed themselves into New World African Americans but also became vitally important agents in shaping the culinary tastes… [of] the hemisphere” (Bower, 2007, p. 35). Through the adaptations made during slavery, Africans were able to forage a unique cuisine that maintained aspects of its original West African form— thereby creating Soul food. Even after the abolition of slavery, African Americans continued to face barriers at the hands of institutionalized racism, affecting housing, education, and access to resources. A lack of healthy foods, combined with a food culture foraged under poor conditions, has caused African Americans to face a higher rate of disease than do their racial counterparts.
Poverty changes you. It puts you in a mindset of survival. Survival is defined as the state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances. And it is under this stressful survival mindset that many African Americans live under today. This history is in our DNA. Fast forward to 2020, where although the issue may look different, the same systems are present. Dr. Lisa Cooper, professor and director of the Center for Health Equity at Johns Hopkins University explained it best when she said, “People’s individual actions and behaviors do play a role in health. But the environments in which they exist and the policies that we put in place that shape people’s opportunities actually determine what choices they have to make.”
Understanding the impact poverty, birthed out of institutionalized racism, has had and still has on creating these pre-existing conditions, should lead to compassion. Don’t blame us for it. Have compassion. The good Samaritan did not blame the man who had been beaten for walking down that road. “When he saw him, he had compassion” (Luke 11:33).
Work:
The second issue concerns work inequality. Many of us have spent the last few weeks working from home. It has been hard, as we wish we could spend more time outside the confines of our own walls. But it is important to recognize that being able to work from home is a luxury often not afforded to those in the African American community because of the type of jobs that we work. Despite being as equally educated or skilled as our white counterparts, we are still not awarded the same job opportunities. This keeps us at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to wealth development. This prevents many from being able to own homes and in return keeps us in high-density living environments. The inability to work from home, plus many of our jobs being in the service sector (bus drivers, grocery workers, delivery services, street workers, etc.), automatically increases the likelihood of being exposed to the coronavirus, which also increases our chances of death.
Housing:
As previously mentioned, we are often prevented from being able to escape high-density living environments due to the type of jobs African Americans have to work. For decades, housing discrimination has been an issue in Chicago (well documented in Robert J. Samson’s book Great American City: Chicago and the Enduring Neighborhood Effect) and other cities across the nation. These discriminatory policies have significantly impacted the African American community, leaving many of us living in housing facilities which make social distancing next to impossible. For example, I have a friend who lives in a building with over 310 units, most of which have double occupancy. This 19-floor building has three elevators that are about 6.5 feet in width, one of which has been out of service for 3 years. How does one practice social distancing effectively in this type of environment? Coupled with having to go out to work, wash clothes, purchase food, all of which often require public transit. These living environments make limiting exposure to coronavirus extremely difficult.
The parable of the good Samaritan highlights the sinful heart of the religious leaders. But these issues of the heart aren’t just relegated to religious leaders, but to all Christians. This is a call to us all!
There was every reason for the Samaritan not to stop to help the beaten man. The Samaritans and Jews had intense disdain toward each other, rooted in a history of racial and religious tension. But the text says that when the Samaritan saw the man, he had compassion. That is what we are called to emulate.
What is your preferred party of choice? Red, Blue, or Green, regardless of your political affiliation, those of us who profess Jesus as Lord must not ignore what the COVID-19 deaths have exposed. There is a significant amount of disparity in the African American community that is birthed out of systemic racism. As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot ignore or not care about these issues. This is not a call to feel guilt and shame about prior thoughts or actions. But I do hope it calls us to conviction and/or repentance. We are all guilty of ignoring others' pain because we are only focused on ourselves or those who look like us.
Yes, I affirm the proclamation of the gospel. Yes, I affirm that it is only through faith in Christ that man can be saved. I affirm that there is one God in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And I affirm that it is impossible to say you love God and ignore the injustice and hurts of people in and outside the body of Christ. Like the good Samaritan, we must show compassion. And compassion requires action, not just praying hand emojis or hashtags. Actions include prayer, learning, and being a voice.
Pray: Pray for change in the hearts of those enduring these disparities, our leaders, and policy makers. Pray for God to give or keep your heart in a posture of compassion towards others.
Learn: Read and ask questions about the issues through books, blogs, articles, and development of personal relationships, and then act upon this new understanding.
Be a Voice: When you have been exposed to the issues of others, become a voice for them. Let your voice be a tool for change.
Ashanti M. Pettaway is Pastoral Resident at Holy Trinity Church, where his has served 4.5 years. He is married to Chicago native Amanda and they have 3 children (1 of which is in heaven). They live in the historic African American neighborhood of Bronzeville.