May 16, 2020
Latin American Perspectives would like to invite its readers, editors, and authors to submit short reflections and or photographs to our blog about how communities in Latin America and Latinx communities in the US are confronting the COVID-19 crisis. Blog posts should run between 200 to 1000 words and can be in English, Spanish or Portuguese.Please send your submissions to lap.outreach@gmail.com, subject line “COVID-19 Blog”While social distancing and quarantine protocols are necessary to stem the spread of the virus, we are witnessing ways in which these measures can also reinforce economic and social inequalities and hurt working-class families across the Americas. LAP has a rich history of questioning the empty promises of social mobility and progress that often go hand-in-hand with neoliberalism, neo-colonialism, imperialism, and globalization, and we feel the need to be on alert as military forces take on more predominant roles and as governments threaten to institutionalize draconian austerity measures.The COVID-19 virus exposes the weaknesses of the capitalist market to provide health care, food security, safety and education to millions of Latinx in a crisis. It also puts women in dangerous situations when asked to remain at home with potential abusers. Colombia has seen a 79% increase in calls of help due to intra-familial violence or sexual abuse.LAP has always been committed to document and reflect on the critical work of social movements, grassroots organizations to pressure local governments to ensure the well-being of vulnerable communities, for example, prison populations or the elderly. This pandemic is a heavy blow to the pathos of globalization and Latin Americans will have to ascertain radical ways to rebuild infrastructures, support impacted communities and foster a culture of solidarity and collective prosperity.We invite LAP readers to use this space on the blog to share their experiences, fears, and hopes for the near future and strategies to transform political goodwill into action. We can all learn from each other and our research to prepare for whatever tasks lie ahead. Please be aware that blog entries are often reposted in LAP’s social media outlets (Facebook and Twitter).
