In the wake of the devastating murders of George Floyd (Minnesota), Breonna Taylor (Kentucky), Freddie Gray (Maryland), and too many other murders of Black Americans, there has been an international outcry against racist violence and the systemic racism entrenched in the criminal justice, healthcare, and educational systems here in the United States.  It cannot be debated that racism's roots are long and deep, and that it will take a collective tenacity to eradicate it.

ILS condemns racism and racist violence, especially that perpetrated by the police. We also condemn the systemic racism present in our healthcare, judicial systems, education, voting processes, and the allocation of community resources and funding.  Our goals include 1) Nurturing the unique context of our students of color as they pursue a rigorous life sciences education, 2) Fostering allyship throughout ILS in pursuit of social justice, and 3) Training scientists who are actively anti-racist and call out racism in STEM as unacceptable and dangerous.  

It is important to acknowledge and affirm the intersectionality of multiple identities that people hold.  For example, the Black Lives Matter movement was co-founded by Patrisse Cullors, who identifies as a Black queer activist, and the LGBTQ rights movement was begun when Black trans women fought back against police and started a riot 50 years ago.  Black Lives Matter is the catalyst for this survey, but justice must be intersectional because oppression is intersectional.  

If you are interested in exploring any of these opportunities or have ideas or concerns of your own to share, please complete the interest form below by June 20, 2020.