The recent string of violent tragedies, both in the USA and abroad, have wrenched our hearts and left our minds baffled. Minnesota, Dallas, Baton Rouge, Orlando. This list continues. Some may view these tragedies as separated from science. We disagree, science does not happen in a vacuum. Science happens in the daily interactions of curious minds, no matter their race, class, ethnicity, gender identity or orientation. Tragedies affect people’s lives and communities in different ways–some impacts we can fathom, others we cannot.
For anyone who has been impacted by these tragedies, we want you to know we are standing with you. We are here to listen when you need to speak. When words measure short, we will sit with you in silent support. We know that your experiences are what matter, not our interpretations. We recognize that discrimination is not dead and we have a long way to go. We strive to be your allies.
As human beings as well as scientists, we commit to the following: We will continually educate ourselves. We will ask questions. We will challenge our own biases. We will be inclusive. We will help build a stronger community. We will speak up, even when it is uncomfortable. We are willing to be called out when we make mistakes. We will correct our mistakes. We will consciously respond with awareness. Our DSN core values will provide grounding as we stumble forward through these times.
We encourage other scientists, marine or otherwise, to do the same. Strive to be better allies and make science a place where all people are welcome.
Sincerely, the DSN team:
Kim Martini
Craig McClain
Holly Bik
Rebecca Helm
Douglas Long
Alex Warneke
Below are some resources so you can be a better ally. Know more? List them in the comments.
EDUCATE YOURSELF
Too Traumatized to Science by Dr. Danielle N. Lee
5 Tips for being an Ally by Franchesca Ramsey
A field guide to privilege: some reasons why we lack diversity by Dr. Miriam Goldstein
How Minority Students’ Experiences Differ: What Research Reveals (paywall)
Mentoring Minority Students by Sarah Tuttle
Advice for white folks in the wake of the police murder of a black person
Curriculum for White Americans to educate themselves on race and racism
LEAGUE OF ALLIES
Facing Reality, Speaking Out and Building Trust after St. Paul, Baton Rouge and Dallas by the Union of Concerned Scientists
Sierra Club Statement on the killing of Police in Dallas, Texas
Members of the AAS Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy (CSMA)
Why building diversity in the Earth and Space Sciences Matters – From the Prow American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Related Posts
How many species are in the deep sea?
How is the deep sea so diverse? The struggle is real for late 1900s ecologists
Wooden Homes on the Seafloor Yield Insights Into the Impacts of Climate Change
Hipster bacteria hate the tropics (it’s too mainstream)
A field guide to privilege in marine science: some reasons why we lack diversity
I used to be criticized by my major advisor for getting involved, and wanting scientists to BE more involved, back when I was a grad student in the 80s and 90s.
I think things have shifted overall since then, and it’s good to see more and more scientists coming forward and realizing that doing science doesn’t mean you have to stop being involved in your communities.
thanks for this.
Thank you so much for this,
A really good resource/organization is Showing Up For Racial Justice http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/about
It’s an organization for being a white ally with chapters around the country.
Another reason DSN is awesome. Thank you for posting this.
Now get to being more involved ;)!
Thanks for sharing! Looks like a great organization.
:)