In my lab, in my departments, in my University, in my professional societies, we have been working to understand the systemic nature of anti-Black racism in America, and to recognize how pervasive it is in STEM and in academia and how much it harms our Black colleagues and the scientific enterprise. We have been set on our path by resources generously offered by our colleagues. It is hard work, to figure out what to do (when you know better, do better) but one thing scientists know how to do is research, and so I roll up my sleeves and approach this like any research project... I list just a few of the resources I have found
Finally, in the spirit of amplifying the voices of my Black colleagues, here is the full statement by the UCR BFASA
“If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.”
- Zora Neale Hurston
The University of California, Riverside Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFASA) will not be silent about the soul-wrenching pain being re-experienced by Black Americans, continuously, from boat to boardroom, from police to peers. We are psychically, physically, and spiritually breathless saying her name, his name, their name, and any more names that mark the rootedness of anti-Black racism and violence in America that has led us to this moment and the many more moments before this note hit your in-box. Our letter will be one of hundreds of commitments to diversity and change crafted by institutions, employers, retailers, celebrities, and world leaders condemning police brutality as if it were a new affront to humanity. We are also aware one hand can’t clap on its own, and that the sleekly gloved hand of systemic racism and the blood-stained hand of flagrant acts of racism belong to the same pair of dirty hands. They have been clapping together for a while now. We ready for a new tune!
BFASA was established in 2017 with the purpose to address issues and concerns unique to UCR employees and students. We encourage the recruitment and retention of Black staff, faculty, and students as well as the enhancement of staff advancement and career development opportunities. In a recent BFASA meeting, a member shared something her 12-year-old Black son told her in the wake of George Floyd’s extrajudicial killing at the hands of law enforcement. Her 12-year-old son told her not to worry. He said that if, in an encounter with the police his life might end in violence, he would instead take his own life first, peacefully. No child should be negotiating their own peaceful death amidst fists, nooses, bullets, and now knees.
Black Lives Matter on this campus and beyond. We stand with our students, staff, faculty, and alumni who believe in dismantling systems that nourish white supremacy, racism, and inequities against BIPOC, LGBTQIA, undocumented, and differently-abled communities. We support the demands of our BSU and the over 90 other campus organizations who understand the importance of “centering Black voices and pushing for transformative action” on our campus. Don’t get us wrong. We are proud to be the trailblazing UC with the first African Student Program, the first UC with an Umoja Community and to be one of the campuses with a large number of students identifying as African American in the UC system. We are also proud to be the working class campus ranked number one in social mobility. But history and rankings are not enough, not anymore.
The challenges that exist for Black members of UCR’s campus are not limited to students. In a 2019 Campus Engagement Survey crafted by UCOP and the Council of UC Staff Assemblies (CUCSA), Black staff members generally responded unfavorably in most areas, with particularly concerning results in the areas of Empowered Culture, Leadership & Diversity and Inclusion. Most notably, sixty percent of the Black policy-covered staff surveyed indicated that they were seriously considering leaving the UC system. While UCR has deservedly received recognition in areas of diversity, there is much to be done in making the campus inclusive.
To materialize our support of the well-being, safety, and activism of UCR’s Black community, we are calling on you to donate to campus groups who are at the forefront of centering their/our voices. Donate to the UCR African Student Programs (ASP), Black Alumni Chapter, and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Most importantly, we implore you to learn more about white supremacy and white privilege so that you are equipped to help dismantle both.
Finally, as protests grow across and beyond our country’s borders, we are painfully aware of the structures beyond police that uphold systemic racism. One pertinent example is healthcare as Black Americans are three times more likely than white Americans to die of Covid-19. In fighting for Black lives, we may, tragically, be enabling Black deaths. Despite this omnipresent risk, we refuse to face an extinction event at the hands of law enforcement. We are committed to holding space for movement and organization and empowering each willing member of the UCR community to do anti-racist work. In the coming weeks, BFASA will identify areas of collective struggle and solutions to ensure improved justice and equality at UCR.