It Takes Courage: Re-Emphasizing Our Institutional and Societal Commitment to Diversity, Respect, and Inclusion

Recent events have highlighted the unfortunate, discriminatory, and, at times, violent or criminal actions taken against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. These events, including attacks on women and the elderly, constitute a threat to the health and well-being of not only the AAPI community, but also to the principles of diversity, inclusivity, respect, and civility. Data recently released [PDF] by California State University, San Bernardino, indicate a 149% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes reported to law enforcement between 2019 and 2020, including staggering increases in some of the most demographically diverse cities in the country. These events, and the perspectives or attitudes that underlie them, damage the social fabric and mutual bonds that hold us together. Elements of hate and discrimination anywhere act as a barrier to equity and respect everywhere. In June 2020, NIGMS issued a statement on combating racism in biomedical research, including the many harms that societal and institutional inequality and injustice inflict on communities of color. This statement was followed by the release of two additional statements that, respectively, express the Institute’s support for UNITE, a trans-NIH initiative to end structural racism and inequality, and provide information on NIGMS funding opportunities to address these barriers in the biomedical research enterprise. NIGMS expresses solidarity with, and une...
Source: NIGMS Feedback Loop Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Tags: Director’s Messages News Biomedical Research Enterprise Source Type: blogs