Black Lives Matter

The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor have once again reminded us that our country is built on racism and hate. It reminds us that the policing system targets and murders Black people. It reminds us that, despite the fact that Black people’s free labor was used to build this country, they are denied equal access to freedom and justice.

For many, it has been an intense week filled with anger, rage, confusion, and fear. It is OK to have these feelings. It is OK to feel angry at our country, our government, and the police. It is OK to feel angry that your Black friends and family members have never experienced the freedom that you experience. It is OK to feel rage that the system never changes. It is also OK to feel fear as you watch things burn and turn violent. As with most things, the current unrest will calm down – but that is when the real work begins.

We cannot return to a society that accepts the status quo of where Blacks are second-rate citizens. We cannot return to a status quo where we don’t stand up for every injustice. We cannot return to a status quo where we don’t hold the government and police accountable.

Science is no different. Every facet of modern science is tainted by discrimination and racism towards Black scholars and students. Grant funding, publishing, and hiring are all documented to be biased against Black scientists. Black scholars deal with racism from colleagues and other faculty on a daily basis. Black academics aren’t afforded institutional support from their departmental and university leaders. This is the hostile environment in which our Black colleagues are forced to try to thrive. This is unacceptable.

As your PI and mentor, I am fiercely dedicated to equality in science and academia. I promise to create an environment where the most disenfranchised can thrive and feel welcome. I promise to call out hate and biased speech in our halls. I won’t stand for discriminatory behavior or attitudes in the lab. I will try to model unity and acceptance on a daily basis.

We must work together to eliminate and dismantle the oppressive powers in society, academia, and science that do not value Black lives.