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The San Francisco Interfaith Council Endorses and Supports the
Board of Supervisors' Resolution Condemning Use of the Term "Chinese Virus"
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It has been a longstanding practice of the
San Francisco Interfaith Council (SFIC) to stand with those who have been singled out and oppressed and to condemn all expressions of racism.
Last night the SFIC received a time-sensitive request to join with Chinese for Affirmative Action in supporting a resolution, being sponsored by San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Norman Yee, condemning the use of the terms "Chinese virus," "Kung Flu," and "Wuhan virus." Those terms being divisive, are inappropriately intended to scapegoat the Chinese people and incite animosity against Asian Americans. In addition to condemning the use of those terms, the resolution also urges all City employees not to use those terms and calls for a unified effort to defeat COVID-19.
With the consent of its Executive Board, the SFIC issued the following letter of endorsement, which it forwarded to the City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors:
The San Francisco Interfaith Council endorses and supports the Board of Supervisors Resolution Condemning Use of the Term "Chinese Virus."
The President, his administration, and Republican Senators and Representatives have used the terms "Chinese Virus," "Kung Flu," and "Wuhan Virus" when referring to the COVID-19 virus. Use of those terms is racist and xenophobic. Chinese for Affirmative Action has partnered with the Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council in collecting data on incidents of coronavirus-related aggressions, bullying, harassment, hate speech, and violence against Asian Americans. As of today, over 450 incidents have been reported. Words matter, particularly the words of our elected civic leaders, and these words have incited bigotry and fueled violence against Asian Americans. (#WashTheHate)
In these times that call for an urgent and collective response to the COVID-19 global health pandemic, there is no room for hate (#StopAAPIHate). Let us not divide our communities. Let us all come together, share knowledge and resources, and act globally to beat the Coronavirus (#ComeTogether).
Michael G. Pappas, M.Div.
Executive Director
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