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ON OUR MINDS
Brought to you this week by account coordinator Liza Butegwa, currently referred to as "that crazy plant lady" by her husband!
Coronavirus & Corporate Responsibility
Read our previous coverage, and check out upcoming McPherson Memo Live chats here.
The more we talk about our “new normal,” the more one hopes that some aspects of the old normal are left behind. This week, we are reminded that how we address structural inequalities will define our recovery from coronavirus, as people of color, women, low-wage workers and small business owners will likely bear the brunt of the economic downturn. Disparities are everywhere, but so are solutions — a collaborative effort by those who have the means and the power to step up can drive meaningful change. Even individual acts of consciousness, like an Amazon VP’s decision to step down, is a catalyst for this shift. State Farm’s commitment to women, minorities and veteran-owned businesses is a step in the right direction. Target is also leading the way with a new resource to help small businesses in Minnesota open safely. Cushman & Wakefield is providing resources to aid companies in reopening their office spaces when the time comes, Old Navy is donating clothes to struggling families, and Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD is delivering test kits, grocery vouchers and household items to African American communities in Houston. Collective action should be our new normal — as Matthew McConaughey put it, “This isn’t about politics, it’s about us.”
Who you gonna call?
Cuomo, Cooper, Baldwin, Lemon, whoever your anchor of choice is — they have been our companions in this coronavirus journey. New insights from the Pew Research Center show that Americans are more likely than not to say media coverage of the crisis has been beneficial to the public. This is a direct contrast to the mistrust that permeated the political airwaves before the crisis and that plays a role in how some individuals have decided to lose their grasp on factual information altogether. Suggesting journalists are essential workers is certainly not new, but is infinitely more applicable to the crisis we face. Stacy Palmer, Editor in Chief of The Chronicle of Philanthropy, shed light on this during an interview with Susan on The McPherson Memo Live. Support your local news organizations here.
Keep on, Keep Kickin’ on
Between keeping abreast of the news, seeking mindless entertainment, educating yourself, and being up-to-date with work commitments, this has likely been a bit of an overload for your media brain. Taking the time to digitally detox could help decrease anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Spending two straight months in a lockdown is no small feat, and although it can oftentimes feel bleak, it’s gratifying to note a change in tone — to resilience. VSCO demonstrated this well, highlighting how Gen Z has redefined creativity and activism as a coping mechanism during the pandemic. We have also watched mutual aid gain momentum within our communities — a trend that we hope will stay. African Americans, who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, are mobilizing in innovative ways to raise capital to support their businesses. It’s inspiring to see the way our communities are stepping up in the face of adversity.
ON OUR RADAR
Listen:
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Give:
- Looking for a fun way to break the monotony of the lockdown? Support artists and COVID-19 relief efforts by solving these stunning puzzles.
- Share a note of gratitude with the people in your life who deserve it the most: teachers.
- Family Meal: Recipes From Our Community brings together an all-star group of chefs with all proceeds supporting the Restaurant Worker’s COVID-19 relief fund.
- Be a part of the virtual World Environment Day on June 5.
- Consider contributing to EllevateHer and Together For Her — important causes supporting women who are experiencing financial insecurity and domestic violence (respectively) during COVID-19.
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