COVID-19 Stigma Discussion Group

Michigan Social Work is addressing issues of stigma and discrimination against Asians and other minority groups in a series of online weekly forums.  Moderated by Assistant Professor Addie Weaver and Professors Rogério Pinto and Larry Gant, the discussion group aims to strengthen solidarity and fight racism and discrimination.

“The COVID-19 pandemic quickly exposed social (e.g., unemployment, food insecurity), medical (e.g., lack of testing, medicine), and structural (e.g., lack of hospital beds, protective gear) issues which have historically undermined the most vulnerable in our society. Our Thursday discussions have addressed issues of stigma, oppression, positionality and myriad others, which outside of the COVID-19 context might be overlooked. The weekly discussion has generated many ideas for research and updated curricula needed to understand and address this new reality,” said Pinto.

Sponsors include the School's Faculty Allies for Diversity Committee in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity.  We hope students, faculty and staff will join us via BlueJeans at 3 PM on Thursdays for these frank and essential community discussions.