Biology in Society
Both the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Department of Biological Sciences issued statements addressing racial disparities.
Faculty and students in Biological Sciences met on June 10th to discuss and suggest action items for the department to be inclusive.
NOTE FROM THE CHAIR
The events that have unfolded in the last several months and years have left us heartbroken yet again. For the past ten days, hundreds of thousands of people across the US and the world have risen up to protest centuries of systemic racism and violence towards black people. Any human who sees the murder of George Floyd and so many others before him can only be sickened, saddened, and angered. Our hearts grieve with the victims’ families and friends. The longstanding institutionalized dehumanizing practices in this country against black people must stop. We must stand against these unacceptable actions and practices, and we must work together to abolish these unacceptable actions and practices.
Yet in this dark hour in the midst of a pandemic that has disproportionately impacted black and brown Americans, there is a ray of hope. These protests have evoked a response from those we put in power to act. All four police officers were charged – a small step in the direction of justice. We must realize the power of our democracy.
As scholars, educators, and scientists, we strive to be logical, thoughtful, and unbiased in our thinking. We encourage the participation of everyone in the process of scientific inquiry and thought. Our humanity must embrace the beauty of our diversity. As a department, we pledge to focus our efforts on our commitment to a community of peace, equality, respect, inclusion, and safety for everyone. We know that healing and improving our community will take sustained effort and concrete actions. We dedicate this 2020-2021 academic year to developing and presenting a clear and sustainable plan that supports this commitment. We welcome all comments, suggestions, and critiques from faculty, colleagues, staff, and students as we move forward.
Keep a watch out for future virtual town halls and workshops/training on UNCC’s website.
Dr. Pinku Mukherjee and Dr. Christine Richardson
Get involved and be informed
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Participate in this survey asking about your perceptions of the current UNC Charlotte branding. The survey looks for “ways UNC Charlotte can drive lasting change toward creating and sustaining a campus culture that exemplifies equity and inclusion. And “What can we do as a University that is committed to creating an equitable and safe environment for our students, faculty, and staff in one of the most diverse and vibrant urban cities in America?“
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Megan Mitchem (undergraduate BIOL major and a Barry Goldwater Scholar) shares with us to withdraw an article published by Elsevier in 2012 that is being used to promote white supremacists ideas
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Self-reflection and conversations about race and racial identity are available.
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Justice in June
Talking about Race of the National Museum of African American History and Culture provides multiple supports for every person committed to equity including educator and parent/caregiver.
Race forward has a wealth of resources addressing racial justice including Ways to Step Up for Racial Justice and podcasts including a recent one on black lives matter. -
The ADVANCE Faculty Affairs and Diversity Office has compiled a list of resources and actions related to state violence against black and brown people and also Racism in Academia.
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Our sister new south center at Chapel Hill, Center for the Study of the American South, has identified numerous resources and historical texts and media related to what it calls “the road to freedom.”
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Individuals involved in STEM fields including scientists, teachers, researchers and students can benefit from resources committed to education, action, and healing provided by the ShutDownSTEM initiative.
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The National Institute of Health issues a statement about Race and Peer Review.
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The National Institute of General Medical Sciences issued thoughts to help “break the cycles of racial disparities that are woven into the fabric of the biomedical research enterprise”.
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Think twice about 23andme. Unnatural racial classifications common in DNA testing