Somos Salud is linguistic justice: share our series of videos in indigenous languages

Since 2020, Somos Salud, the health justice program of Alianza Americas, has worked to make accurate and timely health information more accessible for communities of color across the United States. If we want greater health equity —so that our neighbors, our children, and our friends can access the health services they need to stay safe and healthy—we need language justice.

When health information isn’t shared in Indigenous or Afro-Caribbean languages, this further marginalizes these communities. When we respect people’s fundamental right to communicate in the language that makes them feel the most empowered, we help build a public health system in which we’re all safer and more protected.

That’s one reason why we’ve worked with partners in launching a series of videos in K’iche, Q’anjob’al, Mam and Garífuna, highlighting how diverse families and activists are remaining resilient amidst barriers to health services and true wellbeing.

You can watch watch the full playlist below. Please, take a moment to share these videos with your friends.

Members of the Garífuna community reflect on the importance of traditions that have been handed down to them by their ancestors and the importance of practicing communal care by wearing masks, staying informed and getting vaccinated to protect themselves against diseases like COVID-19.

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Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: We are Community (Garífuna)

Graciela and Francisca speak on the impact that the COVID-19 has had on the K'iche community. They reflect on the importance that staying informed and receiving the COVID-19 booster has for the health of their family and their community. #SomosSalud

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Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: We are Family (K'iche)

Mam court interpreter Regina reflects about the difficulties of migrating to a new country and the lack of information and guidance surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic in her native language. She also speaks about the need to adapt the information available to other people so it is more appropriate and accessible to indigenous communities. and she urges people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. #SomosSalud

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Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: We are Resilient (Mam)

At the beginning of the pandemic, there was a lot of confusion and lack of information. Today, Susana and Francisco know what steps they have to take to take care of themselves, their family and their community. They urge everyone to get vaccinated in order to protect their families and their loved ones. #SomosSalud

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Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: We are Cautious (Q'anjoba`l)

The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact and provoked a high degree of fear in the Haitian community.

Lisa, a Haitian woman and Kreyòl Ayisyen speaker living in New York City, recognizes the importance of unity within her community to combat the pandemic. She recommends taking preventive measures and getting vaccinated to take care of yourself, your loved ones and the community. In unitiy there is strength. #SomosSalud

YouTube Video UExlS0JNY3ktaEI4T1VBZ0VLRFl4QWxpVlAyLW94UjgtYi4wOTA3OTZBNzVEMTUzOTMy

Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic: We are United (Kreyòl ayisyen)

When we uplift the voices of those who speak in languages that have long been made silent by the dominant culture, we help make visible a fuller range of perspectives and experiences that otherwise would’ve gone ignored.