FHL Community, Faculty, and Staff:

The recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery at the hands of police have brought the problem of pervasive, systemic racism in America to the forefront. But the problem is not a new one. As UW Dean Bob Stacey put it, “To some Americans, this violence and the racism from which it stems may be newly visible. But it is not new.” At FHL, the fresh attention to this issue has forced us to reflect on our role in perpetuating racism in academia, and on how we can make tangible changes going forward. We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and are committed to improvement.

The first step in making change is recognizing the problem and the role we play in it. For example, we have no resident Black faculty at FHL, and very few Black course instructors or visiting researchers. We must increase efforts to encourage and welcome scientists from diverse backgrounds, to support not only them but also the students who will benefit from their presence: study after study has shown that minority role models matter, with students more likely to engage and succeed in sciences if their instructors and mentors look like them.  We also need to directly address the issue of representation among students in FHL courses and programs. One effort we have made in this regard is our Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, which engages students from underrepresented groups in mentored STEM research. This summer’s REU students arrived at FHL last week, to spend 9-10 weeks participating in research.  We are especially happy to be running the program now when so few hands-on opportunities are available, and with studies showing that distance learning has the greatest negative impact on Black, Hispanic, and low-income students.

But one program does not solve the issue, and we need to do so much more. Besides the obvious lack of representation, there are undoubtedly additional, subtle barriers to our embracing diversity. We have a responsibility to the next generation of scientists to provide them with an excellent, equitable education, while simultaneously eliminating the racism and injustice that continue to do profound harm in academic and greater society. Over the coming months, the recently formed FHL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee will be evaluating how we can better serve Black students and scientists. Please contact me or other FHL staff with your thoughts of how we can move forward into a better future.

Meanwhile, I encourage everyone to participate in tomorrow’s Strike for Black Lives – a time for those in academia to step away from their usual work pursuits and instead engage in efforts to “further the cause of ending global anti-blackness,” by educating themselves, reflecting, discussing, and protesting.  And if you are looking for educational resources, petitions, and more information on how to take action, check out the Black Lives Matter website.

This period in our history, while horrific, can serve as motivation for reform. I am personally moved by the energy and commitment to change that I have seen on the news every day for the past two weeks. It gives me hope that now is finally the time.

For those who missed it, I encourage you to read the lovely and heartfelt message from UW President Ana Mari Cauce. Her essay eloquently summarizes the current pain and calls us all to action.

Dr. Megan Dethier, Director