‘I Am Not Your Virus’: COVID-19 and Creation Care

OPTalksCO-VIDA 19AfroSpirituspodcast
Written By Open Plaza

Rev. Dr. Loida Martell and Alexandra Zareth discuss emergent diseases and the viral nature of racism in a globalized world

Graphics by multimedia artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya for "I Still Believe in Our City," a “public awareness campaign developed with the NYC Commission on Human Rights to combat anti-Asian discrimination, harassment, and bias as a result of CO…

Graphics by multimedia artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya for "I Still Believe in Our City," a “public awareness campaign developed with the NYC Commission on Human Rights to combat anti-Asian discrimination, harassment, and bias as a result of COVID-19, and launched with the support of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.” Source: NYC Commission on Human Rights, The City of New York
[The collection of multilingual graphics to address anti-Asian racism and harassment CAN BE DOWNLOADED FREE OF CHARGE HERE]

 
 

Stewardship of God's creation (“creation care”) is key to the ministries of both Rev. Dr. Loida Martell, a veterinarian by training, and of board-certified chaplain Alexandra Zareth. In this episode of OP Talks, the scholars discuss the year of the pandemic, and how it has exposed a new social reality that continues to reverberate not only socioeconomically and politically but also in our religious and educational institutions. The pandemic, Rev. Dr. Martell laments, has proven to be an unmitigated disaster and the most politicalized health crisis since HIV/AIDS. If the reasons for emergent viral diseases (and not simply SARS-CoV-2, a.k.a. COVID-19) are ecological, evolutionary, social, and economic in nature, and if North Atlantic nations have contributed to such diseases as they have contributed to global warming, why has this current pandemic been so racialized? To be more precise: Why has the general public—and sociopolitical leaders, in particular—seen it fit to fan the racist, anti-Asian rhetoric that has been fashionable and acceptable in the United States since the 1800s?

 
Featured
Loida Martell

The Rev. Dr. Loida I. Martell is the 18th Vice President of Academic Affairs/ Dean of Lexington Theological Seminary, where she also serves as Professor of Constructive Theology. Dr. Martell is a licensed doctor in veterinary medicine as well as an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches/ USA. She is a bi-coastal Puerto Rican who has taught in various institutions of higher learning. She pastored in New York City for 15 years, creating bilingual programs for the churches she served. Dr. Martell pioneered the study of evángelica theology. In addition to various articles, she co-edited Teología en Conjunto: A Collaborative Hispanic Protestant Theology (1997), and co-authored Latina Evangélicas: A Theological Survey from the Margins (2013). Focusing on the impact of globalization has led her to write on wide-ranging subjects such as mass incarceration and immigration, climate change and emergent diseases, and racism. In addition to her membership in the American Academy of Religion, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the American Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Martell represents the American Baptist Churches/USA on the National Council of Churches Convening Table for Theological Studies and Matters of Faith and Reason, serves on the NCC Racial Task Force, and served as President of La Comunidad of Hispanic Scholars of Religion (AAR/ SBL) from 2016–2019.

Featured
Alexandra Zareth

Alexandra Zareth is a child of God, Board-Certified Chaplain, and the Associate for Leadership Development & Recruitment for Leaders of Color for the Presbyterian Mission Agency PC(USA). Previously, Alexandra served in PC(USA) as Field Staff for Racial Ethnic Young Women, as a trauma chaplain for Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA, and directed National Programs for Hispanic Clergy with Esperanza, Inc. These positions have all enabled her to partner with leaders all over the country to create and implement leadership institutes and experiential learning opportunities for clergy and lay leaders who have served diverse communities. Alexandra has worked with local community entities to co-found relevant programs and non-profits in multiple communities that serve to address emerging needs. Having also served in the violence prevention/intervention field for 17 years, she is committed to empowerment, education, leadership development, and healthy living. An alumna of Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton (M. Div) and St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX (BA in Psychology), Alexandra is finishing her PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy at Eastern University.

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