Inclusion Infusions: Tools for Countering Xenophobia

Posted on Friday, May 22nd, 2020

As a follow up to the recent blog on the history of Xenophobia, I wanted to share this really useful toolkit entitled “Counteracting Dangerous Narratives in the Time of COVID-19” by the organization Over Zero. If you don’t have a moment to read the full guide, here are some key excerpts:

Certain patterns of speech are commonly repeated before and during violence that targets groups based on their identity. Unfortunately, these narratives can be easily fueled by uncertainty and anxiety, such as the current public health and economic crises:

  • narratives portray groups as to blame for the pandemic and economic crisis, as an ongoing threat, and as not fully human (e.g. through comparing people to pests, rodents, or the disease itself);
  • narratives build an exclusive “us” in need of protection, portraying violence or harm as necessary (and even good) and depicting other social or political solutions as infeasible.

Be on the lookout for these narrative patterns! Note: While a dangerous narrative may not mobilize widespread support overnight, it can still have influence–even on moderate group members–by desensitizing them to such speech and changing their perceptions of group norms.

In the face of increased risk, the toolkit suggests several key actions, communication strategies, and considerations critical for leaders. These are to:

  • build a broader version of “us” by using your platform to affirm overarching and cross-cutting identities, model mutual helping behaviors, and set positive norms of unity and inclusion; interrupt and clearly counter harmful narratives.
  • build messages that resonate and undercut harmful narratives that serve to other and fuel zero-sum mentalities – separate how you speak about people who have had the disease and the disease itself.
  • work with effective messengers and channels – work with the key communicators and leaders in your community to support their use of language that unites.
  • be strategic about the long game by building strong cross-cutting relationships. Take the time to strengthen or build your network to include people and communities from different backgrounds.

 


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