Open source syllabus and resources to combat xenophobia related to coronavirus

Anti-immigrant and anti-Chinese sentiment is spreading amid the escalating coronavirus outbreak, as described in a prior immigrationprof blog post. This post is dedicated to sharing resources to combat the xenophobia. Additional resources in comments very welcome!

Although a side note to public health warnings from the CDC, schools and universities have an important role to play in responding to discrimination. This Dear Colleague letter from the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights provides links to key resources for preparedness and it also emphasizes the need to be wary of bullying and stereotyping:

Schools and educators should follow the recommendations in the CDC guidance and this Department’s Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel, as these recommendations are the most effective precautions that can be taken to safeguard the health of our educational communities.  In an environment of fear, however, some individuals may regrettably turn toward racial or ethnic stereotypes.   Worse, ethnic harassment or bullying exacerbates hatred, harms students, and is never justified. These incidents can create a climate of misunderstanding and fear. This hurts all of us.

Educational institutions should take special care to ensure that all students are able to study and learn in an environment that is healthy, safe, and free from bias or discrimination. Discrimination can take many forms, ranging from verbal abuse to physical attacks based on race, ancestry, or misunderstandings about cultural traditions. As education leaders working within our respective communities, we must ensure that harassment based on race or ethnicity is not tolerated.

Of special note for universities is an open-source syllabus for contextualizing the current reach as part of a legacy of discrimination. 

MHC