Dear Hutch United Colleagues,
This digest was edited by Veteran Dr. Stephaun Wallace, Veteran Michael Ford, Reservist Louis Shackelford, Veteran Terri Stewart, Alicia Morales and Terry Stevens-Ayers
This weekend we saw history made with the election of the first Black, South Asian, and female Vice President, Kamala Harris. The Biden/Harris win was made possible by the historic voter turnout across the country, with strong voices from Black, Indigenous and Latinx communities. The motivation and support for Black voters by Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight in Georgia and similar organizations was a saving grace of the democratic ticket. Only time will tell whether the priorities of these voters remain centered by the new administration.
This week we also celebrate Veterans Day, where we commemorate the service and sacrifice of past military members. In this digest, we celebrate the courage and valor of Black Veterans, from historic firsts, to the heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen, the strength of Black women in the service and up to the top command (although this ascension remains limited). Being a Veteran is one of many identities that intersect with being Black. At the intersection of these identities, individuals may face compounded discrimination. For example, read about Richard Brookshire’s account and Rob Smith’s experiences of the homophobia surrounding “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and racism during their military service. Other personal stories of Black soldiers are being captured and archived by the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project.
LEARN more about the long and deep history of discrimination and violence against Black Veterans in America, through the report Targeting Black Veterans from the Equal Justice Initiative. Black military members often enlisted with the hopes that their patriotism and service would be rewarded with equal treatment. Instead, they were met with racial violence and discrimination, including exclusion from the benefits of the GI bill.
LISTEN to Pulitzer Prize winner Yusef Komunyakaa read his poem Facing It, his elegy for the Vietnam war. In it, he reflects on his complex feelings about the war and the role of race in America. You can also read the poem here. A small excerpt:
“I turn
this way — the stone lets me go.
I turn that way — I’m inside
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
again, depending on the light
to make a difference.”
Facing It, YUSEF KOMUNYAKAA
WATCH: Spoken word artist R.J. Wright notes “I serve a country that does not value my voice” in his slam poem Soldier’s Creed, exploring the disconnect between the lauding of soldiers and their lived experiences.
SUPPORT a Black Veteran-owned small business and get caffeinated at the same time with an order from the Atlanta-based Dope Coffee Company. The owners wanted to create a coffee company that spoke to Black culture and cultivated community. Their website features their coffee, coffee-themed gifts, and coffee-based skin and body scrubs.
DONATE to Operation Freedom Paws, which seeks to restore the independence of Veterans with physical disabilities, post traumatic stress or brain injury by working with them in a year-long program to train their own service dog.
In solidarity,
Hutch United
Hutch United was founded by Fred Hutch graduate students and postdocs in 2013 with the mission of fostering a supportive and diverse community of scientists. We promote equity and inclusion through community building events, inclusivity training, and by providing access to resources and mentorship. It is up to all of us to create an inclusive scientific community. As such, we welcome all underrepresented groups (all races/ethnicities, genders, ages, national origins, physical abilities, and sexual orientations; as well as veterans, those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, etc) and, of course, allies and advocates.
