HU Black Lives Matter Digest #49 — Anniversary of George Floyd’s murder in the context of Memorial day

Dear Hutch United Colleagues,

This digest was edited by Rachel Werther from the Campbell Lab.

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by police. He has been memorialized in a year of protests, in murals (one is at Pike Street & 1st in Seattle) and other art, and in national and local legislative initiatives. Floyd’s family visited the White House yesterday and called for Joe Biden to advance the policing reform bill. That bill and initiatives to defund police are central to the Black Lives Matter movement, both to honor George Floyd and to protect the living.

Next Monday will be Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for military troops who died in battle. The holiday has roots in Black community members in 1865 Charleston, S.C. memorializing people who died in the Civil War. The surviving Black soldiers then endured racist policies and white supremacist violence whether they lived in the north or the south. Additionally, many statues have been raised to Confederate soldiers who fought to preserve slavery, but this year has seen the removal of almost 170 Confederate memorials. The efforts to remove racist monuments, brands, and mascots persist worldwide and here in Seattle. Such monuments represent what we collectively choose to honor and elevate, and in removing them, we declare that the truth of Black history in our country matters. The lives of the enslaved and their descendants matter and are themselves a monument to our past. This Memorial Day, even if we do not see monuments to them, let us remember that Black soldiers have fought and died in every war in the United States.

Remembrance has added meaning in the time of Covid-19. We have lost so very many people to this pandemic, and the disproportionate loss of Black lives has been yet another reminder that systemic racism is a public health crisis. As we mourn those we’ve lost, we will try to honor them by continuing to fight for justice and to preserve, protect, and celebrate Black lives.

Act. Register for the Fred Hutch Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit happening virtually on June 2–3. A year after George Floyd’s murder, commitment towards racial justice is imperative so we don’t lose the momentum for positive change. As an act of memory and dedication, if you have read any of our digests, we urge you to attend.

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.