• Español
  • Historical Archives
  • Convention
  • Contact Us
Support the Ministry Give
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
      • Racial Ethnic Council
  • MennoCon
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
      • Kineo Center
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Pastors & Leaders | Deep Faith 2022
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
      • Peace and Justice Support Network
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • Menno Snapshots
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Mennonite Church USA Mennonite Church USA
  • About
    • What We Believe
      • Statements and Resolutions
      • Confession of Faith In a Mennonite Perspective
    • History
    • Find a Church
    • FAQ
      • FAQ about Mennonites
      • FAQ about MC USA
    • Executive Board Staff
    • Church Structure
      • Area Conferences
      • Racial Ethnic Council
  • MennoCon
  • Ministry
    • Church Vitality
      • Women in Leadership
      • Church Planting
      • Wellbeing in Ministry
      • Ministerial Inquiry Form
      • Kineo Center
    • Faith Formation
      • Children and Families
      • Faith Formation with Youth
      • Faith Formation with Adults
      • Christian Practices
      • Pastors & Leaders | Deep Faith 2022
    • Peacebuilding
      • Learn Pray Join
      • Israel/Palestine Initiatives
      • Undoing Racism
      • Undoing Sexism
      • Peace and Justice Support Network
    • The Corinthian Plan
      • Corinthian Plan Staff
      • History of the Corinthian Plan
      • Why Mutual Aid Matters
      • Corinthian Plan Subsidies
      • Wellness Incentives
  • Agencies
    • Everence
    • Mennonite Education Agency
    • Mennonite Mission Network
    • MennoMedia
    • Mennonite Health Services Alliance
  • Resources
  • News & Media
    • News & Media
    • Menno Snapshots
    • MenoTicias
    • Publications and Newsletters
  • Blog
Home / News / Mennonite Church USA Executive Board staff speaks out on Asian American racism and COVID-19
Apr 06 2020

Mennonite Church USA Executive Board staff speaks out on Asian American racism and COVID-19

BringthePeace(Mennonite Church USA, ELKHART, Ind.) — The Executive Board staff of Mennonite Church USA (MC USA), the largest Mennonite denomination in the United States, recently released a statement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that denounces anti-Asian racism and provides tips and resources for helping people recognize and counter racism in their communities.

According to MC USA’s statement:

At a time when we need to come together to connect and care for each other in response to the pandemic that affects the health of all people, Asian American communities have the additional fear of becoming targets of misplaced anger. Asian Americans are being targeted violently – coughed at, sprayed at, stabbed, glared and yelled at — in the grocery stores, banks, parks and even in their neighborhood streets. ( … )

As people committed to the way of peace, we are called to reject the ways of xenophobia and scapegoating. We must seek to live by Jesus’ example who is “our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.” (Ephesians 2:14 NRSV).

We all need to do our part to be anti-racists now, when we have opportunities to stand up for each other and love our neighbors in concrete ways.

The statement also provides suggestions on ways to speak out against anti-Asian racism:

  1. If someone refers to COVID-19 with a racial slur, correct them. The World Health Organization has given concrete guidelines on best practices for naming new human infectious disease.
  2. Avoid stereotyping people or countries when you talk to children about COVID-19. ( … ) These helpful tips from the National Association of School Psychologists can guide you in countering stigma and racism.
  3. Check on your neighbors. ( … ) Remind your Asian American neighbors that they are valued as an important part of the community.
  4. Check your biases and name them. Here are some tactics to identify and reduce your implicit bias.
  • Posted in News
  • Tagged anti-racism, BRINGTHEPEACE, COVID-19, Ephesians, Executive Board staff, racism
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

News

3145 Benham Ave. Suite 1
Elkhart, IN 46517

718 N. Main St.
Newton, KS 67114
Phone: (866) 866-2872
  • News & Media
  • Español
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Convention
  • Resources
  • Give
  • Staff
  • Employment
  • Transparency in Coverage
©2020 Mennonite Church USA   |   Subscribe to PeaceMail to receive news and blogs compiled into one weekly email.   SUBSCRIBE