Up To Date

The Long History Of How Pandemics Hit America's Most Vulnerable

By Brian Ellison,

Published August 21, 2020 at 2:57 PM CDT

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A mother and father stand with their three sons, daughter and cat in front of a rural house during the 1920 flu epidemic. — Much like today's coronavirus, the influenza epidemic of 1918-1920 affected populations of color, native peoples and recent immigrants most profoundly.

Throughout America's history, the displaced and the disenfranchised have suffered the most from uncontrolled diseases.

Pandemics have been killing the country's most vulnerable populations since European explorers first set foot in North America. A historian explained the conditions that allow diseases to repeatedly decimate indigenous peoples and people of color.

Tai Edwards, associate professor of history and director of the Kansas Studies Institute at Johnson County Community College

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Brian Ellison

As a host and contributor at KCUR, I seek to create a more informed citizenry and richer community. I want to enlighten and inspire our audience by delivering the information they need with accuracy and urgency, clarifying what’s complicated and teasing out the complexities of what seems simple. I work to craft conversations that reveal realities in our midst and model civil discourse in a divided world. Follow me on Twitter @ptsbrian or email me at brian@kcur.org.

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Chris Young

Chris Young is an Assistant Producer for KCUR’s Up To Date. Contact him at chrisy@kcur.org.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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