Physics and Black Lives

Originally published on Toward Decolonizing Physics

On the news, yet another cold-blooded murder of a Black man at the hands of police, this time George Floyd (#SayHisName). In my lab, not a word of outrage unless the laser comes unlocked. I can’t help but think: am I the only non-Black physicist moved to action by the recent violent deaths of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes?

This post is intended for fellow non-Black physicists who think this is not our problem. That if we just shut up, act apolitical, and bury ourselves face deep in research, the problem is somehow going away. That qubit lives matter but somehow Black lives don’t.

Well I have news for you: we non-Black physicists aren’t neutral observers. To the extent we do nothing, we’re conspirators in a system designed to destroy and exploit Black lives. Our discipline is both built on and profits from the destruction and devaluation of Black lives, and we physicists alone are those with the power to change it. We have the means to act, and we must.

Physicists are complicit in the destruction of Black lives when the military uses our technology to kill Black people in foreign wars (and don’t forget that Black Americans are disproportionately represented in our own military, too).

Physicists are complicit in the destruction of Black lives when federal policy puts these same technologies in the hands of cops who murder Black Americans.

Physicists are complicit in the destruction of Black lives when our institutions buy up and displace Black neighborhoods to fuel the expansion of research facilities and dormitories.

Physicists are complicit in the destruction of Black lives when stereotype threat and impostor syndrome, coupled with inadequate mental health resources on our college campuses, lead to the death and silent suffering of Black physics students.

Physicists are complicit in the destruction of Black lives when we disproportionately graduate white and privileged students from our programs, fueling the education gap.

Physicists are complicit in the destruction of Black lives when we rely on the labor of Black women near minimum wage to clean our laboratories and campuses.

Physicists are complicit in the destruction of Black lives when Black communities are disproportionately affected by the risks of nuclear waste and nuclear power accidents.

But non-Black physicists also have unique opportunities to support the Movement for Black Lives. This should give us hope, if we are willing to act:

Physicists uphold the sanctity of Black lives whenever we speak out against the use of our technologies by the military and police.

Physicists uphold the sanctity of Black lives whenever we apply our research efforts toward environmental justice, since climate change and pollution disproportionately impact Black communities in America and worldwide.

Physicists uphold the sanctity of Black lives whenever we use our respected position in society to speak out against police brutality.

Physicists uphold the sanctity of Black lives whenever we use our positions of power on college campuses to fight for mental health resources, lower tuition and fees, and resources such as Black community centers.

Physicists uphold the sanctity of Black lives whenever we engage in genuine outreach and education efforts to support the career aspirations of Black youth. (Note that cultural and intellectual humility is key here, else we just become white saviors.)

Physicists uphold the sanctity of Black lives whenever we, as educators, adopt and practice pedagogies sensitive to the needs and desires of Black students.

All of these actions are hard. None is the default in physics departments, and none is particularly laudable – we don’t deserve praise for doing that which we should have been doing anyway! That said, the least we can do is start now.

I know your next question: what am I supposed to do? My answer: I can’t tell you, but do something. Black Lives Matter activists have compiled this excellent document on what you can do personally to show solidarity as an ally. The AIP TEAM UP report details numerous recommendations for physics departments to increase recruitment and retention of Black students. And make sure to read and share this article, and especially the writings of Black physicists such as Chanda Prescod-Weinstein!