Today, Scientists Around The Country Have #ShutDownSTEM
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 20: A demonstrator holds a sign saying "Black Lives Matter. Science Is Real." ... [+] One year after the inauguration of President Donald Trump thousands of people gathered on January 20, 2018 in New York City to protest for women's equal rights, as well as an end to sexual exploitation. (Photo by Andrew Holbrooke/Getty Images)
Today in scientific spheres of social media, you will likely come across the hashtags #Strike4BlackLives, #ShutDownSTEM, #ShutDownAcademia. In partnership with the physics movement Particles for Justice, these hashtags are part of an effort to push scientific and academic institutions to move beyond standing in solidarity with Black communities (which many expressed in statements released after the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Abrey incited a national uprising).
According to the Shut Down STEM explainer, this movement “is the time for white and non-Black People of Color (NBPOC) to not only educate themselves, but to define a detailed plan of action to carry forward.” And, Shut Down STEM has compiled several race-related resources including ways to facilitate conversations, learn about the history of racism inside and outside of academia, and amplify Black voices. However, while non-Black scientists and academics explore ways to improve their professional communities, Black STEM professionals are spending time healing from the racism they have endured.
