It is constantly underlined that Covid 19 has produced a new normal in our world setting. What are the new ways of reading texts in the Covid 19 context? Do we have new theories for understanding class, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, masculinities and eco-friendlyness?
Dear Musa W Dube, it is important to know that it takes time for a theory to mature. I think it is still premature to talk about theories. I think that there are important reflections on new sociabilities, economy of life and strong approaches to the socio-ecological
In my view, the Covid-19 situation has shown up similar fault lines to other crises. There is much written already about how women (mostly on account of caring responsibilities falling to them in the first instance) being more adversely affected than men (even though men appear to be more at risk from the virus itself). Those who were poor and vulnerable (on account of age, disability, ethnicity, social class, refugee status...) are harder hit than those more privileged. The equaliser line is overstated. As Fabian says, much of this will become crystallised with time for reflection.
Interesting. Much like HIV and AIDs, it has enlarged our pre-existing social challenges. So how then would we read texts in the contexts and light of COVID 19? Do we need new lenses or the prevailing ones suffice in the new normal?
I think lenses always need adjusting to new situations. The 'African Holocaust' is not 'the Holocaust'. COVID 19 is not the same as HIV. It does not seem to be attended by the same stigma, for instance. (Stigma falls more on those not wearing masks, denying or believing in what is said about COVID 19). Want to write about this, Musa?
Eventually, I will. Thank you Johanna. Yes, it is upon us to reflect how the new normal requires us to adjust our theories of reading.
A thought provoking question and very insightful reflections. COVID has exposed similar fault lines. The divide between the haves and the have-nots exposing the latter to manipulation by the former. The lopsided nature of violence visiting more upon women than men perpetrates the same blame game common in HIV contexts.
In her insightful book entitled "Flocking Together: An Indigenous Theory of Resilience in Southern Africa" Liesel Ebersohn outlines pathways used by indigenous communities in Southern Africa to address the vulnerability caused by postcolonial risks. The advent of COVID-19 has disrupted those survival strategies and called for news ways of relating: social distancing, making it extremely difficult to commune, to collectively and collaboratively care and support one another.
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