A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S

S
Vice Chancellor's Letter
AMY CONRAD WARNER

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND PEACE IN THE TIME OF COVID

The impact of a global pandemic rattles through a 
community like an earthquake; tremors spiking from 
the epicenter for months, years and perhaps decades. 
Early U.S. reports of COVID-19 in metropolitan 
areas described a non-discriminating villain sud-
denly sweeping like a plague through neighborhoods 
regardless of income, nationality, ethnicity, or gen-
der. As we collected data, observed early death rates, 
and identified epicenters of infection, is this truly a 
non-discriminating virus? The COVID-19 positivity 
rate in our county was nearly twice as high for Blacks 
as for whites. The Surgeon General said that people of 
color are not “biologically or genetically pre-disposed 
to get COVID-19, but they are socially predisposed 
to coronavirus exposure.”  Among Black residents, 
34% are employed in essential jobs sectors at risk 
of exposure to the virus, compared to 26% of white 
workers. In our city, Black residents live in denser 
neighborhoods than white residents, with crowding 
of the space per person leading to a higher prevalence 
of COVID-19. The health disparities continue into 
hospitalizations and death rates as a result of COVID-
19 at a higher rate for people of color than whites. 
As of October, the Centers for Disease Control’s 
weighted national average of coronavirus death rates 
for Latinos was 32.4%. This inequity will continue 
to spike without consideration of equitable actions. 
(SAVI-The inequalities behind COVID-19 Disparities 
for African Americans in Indianapolis)

To reduce the concentration and spread of COVID, 
educational institutions transformed learning to 
an online environment to reach learners at home. 
Corporate headquarters sent employees home to work 
remotely. Restaurants and bars closed, health care 
visits were reserved for emergency care rather than 

routine wellness visits, and minor colds and flu visits. 
Sounds equal on the surface; we all simply learn and 
work from home doesn’t it? Is this really equitable? 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8 out of 
10 Black workers in the United States cannot work 
from home due to their job functionality. In addition, 
31% of Black residents are without computers or the 
internet at home, compared to 16% of white residents, 
creating access to work and learning inequity which 
may impede future success.   (SAVI-The inequalities 
behind COVID-19 Disparities for African Americans 
in Indianapolis)

A nation of families responding to stay at home 
orders, social distancing and wearing protective gear 
followed news headlines and social media observing 
first-hand the abuse of force and racial inequities 
experienced by people of color like Breonna Taylor 
and George Floyd in cities across the country. Yet 
still nearly 25% of America’s families are Black or 
Hispanic and repeat “The TALK” to their sons and 
daughters and pray for safety. (US Census Data 12.4% 
Black and 12.5% Hispanic) Is our justice system equi-
table? Are all citizens treated fairly and equally? What 
actions will be forthcoming to extend the American 
dream equitably to us all?

Peace and restorative justice are a pathway toward 
equity. I applaud the contributors to this issue of 
ENGAGE!. The stories unite bridge builders from the 
university with the community to address common 
issues and seek mutually beneficial outcomes. These 
co-creators of knowledge bring their lived experience, 
quantitative and qualitative data, policy advocacy and 
humanity to the table together to seek social justice 
and racial equity in the communities in which we live.

C O N T E N T SACKNOWLEGMENTS

ENGAGE! 6 VOL. 1, ISSUE 3