York Circle @ Home Lecture Series continues with discussion on racism during the pandemic

The 2020-21 York Circle @ Home Lecture Series continues on Feb. 28 with a panel discussion featuring experts from York University that will explore the impact of racism on various communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rebecca Pillai Riddell

Hosted by Rebecca Pillai Riddell, academic chair of The York Circle, this virtual lecture series showcases York’s leading faculty members – from policy makers to molecular scientists – to engage in lively panel discussions and Q-and-A sessions on key themes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The series takes place over four sessions throughout the year.

The third event in the series, “Racism in a pandemic – More than a health crisis,” will be held on Sunday, Feb. 28 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. via Zoom.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of racism on many communities has been compounded. In this panel discussion, York experts will discuss the effects and implications of the pandemic on Canada’s marginalized communities. Jack Rozdilsky, associate professor and graduate program director of Disaster & Emergency Management, will discuss the concept of social vulnerability and define the pandemic akin to a disaster management paradigm. Vice-President Equity, People & Culture Sheila Cote-Meek will discuss the impact on multi-generational families in the Indigenous community. Associate Professor Robert Kenedy, whose work examines co-curricular and curricular peer education, mentorship and leadership, will discuss scapegoating of the Jewish community. Assistant Professor Jude Kong of the Canadian Center for Disease Modelling will address anti-Black racism. And Assistant Professor Cary Wu, whose research focuses on political culture, immigration and inequality, will bridge the challenges across these marginalized groups, and what pandemic recovery could look like.

The first 200 people to register for three or more York Circle @ Home virtual sessions will receive a complimentary York University coffee mug, become a member of The York Circle, and be entered for a chance to win one of four $25 gift cards per session, made possible by MBNA Rewards Platinum Plus Mastercard.