REPOST: Counseling Center Statement on COVID-19 & Xenophobia
Reposting to amplify and stand in solidarity with our Counseling Center colleagues.
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In these uncertain times, it is important as a community and a nation that we don’t lose sight of our identities, our purpose, and our impact. As such, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s (UMBC) Counseling Center is taking a firm stance against the recent increase in xenophobia and racism that has been perpetrated against Chinese and Asian communities.
While the coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared by the World Health Organization as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, some have chosen to refer to it as the “Chinese Virus,” the “Wuhan Virus,” or a “foreign virus.” This language falsely suggests that Chinese or Asian people are the sole carriers of the disease, while also dangerously ignoring the fact that any person, of any race or ethnicity, may be a carrier. Further, this misinformation racializes a public health emergency and perpetuates discrimination against ethnic Chinese (or other Asian) people, reflecting a long-standing history of xenophobia – a form of prejudice against people from other countries. Acts of discrimination, harassment, violence, and verbal aggression towards Chinese and Asian people in the U.S. have increased as a result and have imbued hate and fearmongering into an atmosphere already rife with uncertainty and anxiety.
UMBC draws its strength from its diversity of thought, cultures, backgrounds, and the importance with which inclusivity is upheld and championed. Asian and Asian American (especially Chinese and Chinese American) students, staff, and faculty are valued members of the UMBC community. UMBC’s Counseling Center decries racist or xenophobic rhetoric, behavior, or ideology. Furthermore, as mental health providers, we understand the negative psychological, physiological, and sociological effects of scapegoating, victim blaming, and bias in a time where we all need to find ways to be supported, connected, and truly informed.
Research shows that experiences of discrimination can lead to confusion, self-doubt, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and depression, along with a host of physical ailments. While it is understandable that these times of uncertainty have led to anxiety and fear, engaging in blame and othering behaviors only increases paranoia, mistrust, and emotional distancing, which in turn fuel anxiety and fear. Simply put, increasing belonging and connection helps us all, spreading division and distrust hurts us all. For a community built on inclusive excellence, we know the choice to make, so we hope you join us in denouncing discrimination and addressing xenophobia and racism in all its forms.
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Reposting to amplify and stand in solidarity with our Counseling Center colleagues. -- In these uncertain times, it is important as a community and a nation that we don’t lose sight of our...
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Thu, 09 Apr 2020 15:57:38 -0400
Alternative Spring Break '21: Leader Applications Due Today
Develop an immersive learning experience for your peers
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) leaders will help develop plans and learning opportunities for the week of UMBC's Spring Break, and will work in collaboration with the other leaders and Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff to create a holistic, empowering ASB experience for all participants. The role requires both independence (being a self-starter, organizing group sessions, guiding participants) and teamwork (following through on commitments, cooperating with other leaders and Center for Democracy and Civic Life staff, asking for help when needed). The topics each group explores will emerge from leaders’ curiosity about Baltimore and social issues.
All undergraduate students are invited to apply. Preferred but not required: Applicants will have participated in ASB or a similar multi-day experiential learning program.
Past leaders have explored a variety of questions, such as:
- How do people who have been formerly incarcerated transition back to living and working in Baltimore? What can be done to support that transition?
- What are the difficulties and barriers that people experiencing homelessness face in Baltimore and what can be done to mitigate those issues?
- How are food disparities created, perpetuated, and challenged in Baltimore?
- How do the arts support community empowerment and well-being in Baltimore?
Applicants can choose to explore those questions or propose new ones.
Ideally group leaders will work in pairs (two leaders for each group, sharing responsibilities). You can identify your potential partner when you apply or we can propose matches for you. Working in pairs is not a requirement, but in our experience it works very well.
For more information and to apply, click here. Applications are due April 27, 2020 by 11:59pm.
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Alternative Spring Break (ASB) leaders will help develop plans and learning opportunities for the week of UMBC's Spring Break, and will work in collaboration with the other leaders and Center for...
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Campus Life’s Diversity and Inclusion Area Resources
Stay connected with us and the UMBC Community!
Campus Life’s Mosaic, Interfaith and Pride Centers Community Members,
This is our third post in our COVID-19 related updates. To check out the content of our first two posts, please click here. This post covers Campus Life resources and how to stay connected to us through our virtual platforms. We encourage you to read this and previous COVID-19 posts in their entirety to answer any frequently asked questions.
Resources
Campus Life Student Diversity and Inclusion Area updates:
Retriever Essentials: Due to our physical spaces being closed, the Mosaic is not currently serving as a Distribution Center for Retriever Essentials. We encourage you to visit the Retriever Essentials myUMBC group page for updates or contact the UMBC Police (410) 455-5555.
Social Media: Brand new!Our area now has an Instagram Account! Be sure to follow us at @umbc_clmosaicinterfaithpride (no posts have been made live yet) for our regular posts starting Wednesday, April 1st!
As our following base grows, we will provide opportunities for UMBC community members to promote their diversity, equity, and inclusion based events, initiatives, and/or resources. Please contact Heidy George, Program Associate for Student Diversity and Inclusion if you have any questions related to our social media accounts.
We also encourage you to use the #UMBCtogether to stay connected with the wider UMBC community!
Other Campus Life Resources and contact information
In the meantime, we also encourage you to “like,” “follow,” and/or “favorite” other Campus Life related pages below:
Campus Life
Commonvision
Events Conference Services and Operations
Student Government Association (SGA)
Students Events Board (seb)
For other questions related to Greek Life, Leadership, and Student Organizations, please contact Jen Dress, Associate Director for Engagement at dress@umbc.edu.
For other Campus resources, please stay tuned to updates in our COVID-19 resources and updates document.
Community Resources
For access to health and human services information, visit 2-1-1 Maryland or dial 2-1-1.
If you would like to include any further Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-based resources for students from your department and/or office, please fill out our Campus Life’s Student Diversity and Inclusion Resource Submission Google Form.
If you would like to submit any UMBC resource to the wider UMBC community, please email the Community Resilience Workgroup at reachtogether@umbc.edu.
-Campus Life's Student Diversity and Inclusion staff
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Campus Life’s Mosaic, Interfaith and Pride Centers Community Members, This is our third post in our COVID-19 related updates. To check out the content of our first two posts, please click here....
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Campus Life's (CL) Mosaic, Interfaith and Pride Centers
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