Future and current generations of scholars, historians, and anyone else interested in learning how COVID-19 has affected the borough will find a well-researched resource in, “The Bronx COVID 19 Oral History Project“. The work is conducted under the auspices of Fordham University’s Bronx African American History Project.

 

The goal of the online project, which is still ongoing, is to gather a wide variety of testimony from Bronxites, through both video and audio interviews, describing how their lives have been disrupted by the global pandemic. The student-run project is putting a face and adding a voice to the people who have been disproportionately affected by the crisis because of pre-existing socio-economic factors such as poverty, over-crowded housing, and lack of access to health resources, among other factors.

 

The project’s website also relies on statistical evidence to help explain why the Bronx has been so severely affected by COVID-19. Using an array of figures, including income, arrest records, infection rates, and hospitalization numbers, the researchers present a grim preface to the deadly outcome.

 

For instance, before the pandemic, Bronx residents experienced the worst health outcomes from among the state’s 62 counties, including premature death. With high rates of asthma, hypertension, and diabetes added to such a low health index borough-wide, it is not surprising that statistically Bronxites are twice as likely to die from being infected with the COVID-19 virus.

 

The project is spearheaded by Veronica Quiroga, a Norwood resident who graduated in May from Fordham University with a bachelor’s degree in African and African American Studies. The conducted research is not just an academic exercise for the 22-year-old. It is also personal. “I’m not just recording the [pandemic’s] impact on the Bronx community,” she said. “My mom lost her job because of COVID-19, so it’s personal for me.” she said.

 

Five other students, Bethany Fernandez, Carlos Rico, Nyasa Hendrix, Peter Simpson, and Alison Rini comprise the team responsible for researching the data collection in addition to recording the stories.

 

Overseeing the project at the faculty level is Dr. Mark Naison, professor of History and African American Studies at Fordham University. “One thing that makes this project unusual is that it is entirely student-founded and run,” Naison said. “Prior to this summer, all interviewing [on similar projects] was conducted by professors.”

 

Celebrating his 50th year as a professor at Fordham, Naison heaps high praise on Quiroga who won the W.E.B. DuBois Award for academic excellence in the field of African and African American studies. Naison sees an opportunity for the next generation of scholars to produce work that speaks to their lived experience.

 

“[The pandemic] has been terribly traumatic for my students, especially my students from communities of color,” he said.  That realization has prompted Naison to raise funding both independently and through his department. “I didn’t want my students to work for nothing,” he said.

 

Additionally, the project team has set up a fundraising account on GiveCampus where, as of Friday, Aug. 14, they have received $1,265 in donations.

 

Early feedback about the project has Naison optimistic about continuing the research. “This project has taken off, and is being followed across the country” he said. “We’ve received incredible support from Fordham University.”

 

Looking ahead to a possible end to the project, Quiroga is determined to do whatever work is necessary for as long as necessary. “This pandemic is continually impacting the social and economic [life] of the Bronx,” she said. “As long as Bronx residents are impacted, we’ll continue.”

 

Note: Any Bronxites interested in adding their personal experience of COVID-19, and its effect on their health or economic status, to the project can contact the project team at BAAHPFordham@gmail.com.