Today - June 1st - the Blum Center launches a week-long information campaign "Lack of Representation in the Time of COVID-19: Who Counts During a Pandemic and Why It Matters" to explore the ways representation is tied to poverty and inequality and highlight its importance in sustaining a democracy where all voices matter. Looking at the intersection between COVID-19 and racial and ethnic data, we will explore the ways certain communities are being overlooked in this pandemic, the consequences of this lack of representation, and how this pandemic might spur a movement towards an inclusive democracy. This student-led campaign is part of the Blum Center's annual Poverty Action Week events.

In Day 1 & 2 of this information campaign we're providing a picture (though incomplete because of a lack of available data) of what unequal impacts of COVID-19 we're seeing in different communities, and in Day 3 we'll be exploring reasons why we're seeing these stark inequalities, many of which originated well before the pandemic began. In Day 4 & 5 we'll be exploring grassroots and democratic efforts to address these inequalities, and highlighting ways you can get involved.

Given the egregious manifestations of racism and discrimination we have witnessed with the killings of George Floyd, as well as Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade over the past few months - these types of discussion and calls to action regarding racial inequalities and injustice in all its forms are necessary and urgent. Please join us as we stand in solidarity with all who are seeking to foster recognition, understanding, and change.

To learn more, please visit our Instagram and Facebook pages, as well as our website, for new content daily this week related to this campaign.