Many fine articles have been written on the need for scientists to find the right \u201cwork-life balance.\u201d Most of the time, the meaning of a work-life balance is equated with identifying a healthy balance between the need to dedicate significant time and energy in one\u2019s scientific career together with spending time with one\u2019s family. Finding the \u201cright balance” has always been a difficult and moving target, with tenure coming early in one\u2019s career, and often in parallel with major family and personal events, such as pregnancy and the birth of children. However, more recently I have been considering a different work-life balance\u2014a balance between work (science) and being politically active.<\/p>\n
Compared to other academics, scientists have always been particularly slow to enter the political scene\u2014and even then, only funding issues seem to resonate with many scientists. But in the light of recent events over the last 2 years\u2014with emphasis on the last brutal 72 hours that include attempted assassinations of political figures and critics of Trump, the murder of two African Americans, the killing of 11 Jewish worshippers at a synagogue, and the injury of several law enforcement officers, scientists need to speak out.<\/p>\n
Scientists have traditionally felt that they are \u201cabove politics;\u201d after all, we are involved in endeavors that are critical to human health. Scientists have always maintained the necessity of \u201cfocusing on one\u2019s research\u201d and \u201cnot being distracted.\u201d But now, with a country fighting for its morality, this is no longer an excuse for not speaking out.<\/p>\n
Political differences are legitimate. I may think that the tax cuts recently approved by the government are bad policy\u2014that they are heavily weighted to those wealthy people that don\u2019t need them, and that they do not help middle and lower classes enough. But elections have consequences, and all that is legitimate policy debate. However, when the president does not stand up, time after time, and whole-heartedly condemn racism, racists and white supremacists, this is not a policy issue. This is an issue of who we are and what we stand for. It\u2019s an issue of survival\u2014the survival of morality of this nation. It is a time for all people, scientists included, to stand up and speak loudly.<\/p>\n
Do I think Trump is an anti-semite? I don\u2019t know; his Jewish son-in-law and family is often cited as proof of his tolerance. I do know that this president has trafficked in conspiracy theories and many of them involve attacks on African Americans. Some examples: his failure to accept the legitimacy of President Barrack Obama, his attack on African American athletes, his diatribes on African American Congresswoman Maxine Waters and her supposed \u201clow IQ,\u201d his refusal to accept that the 5 men originally convicted and later found innocent of the brutal attack and rape of a Central Park jogger were indeed innocent. And, of course, his stream of insults and attacks on Hispanics and those from \u201cshithole countries.\u201d So while Trump may not fit a classic definition of an anti-semite, white nationalists and supremacists see the \u201cwhole package.\u201d To them, Jews are just another \u201cnon-white\u201d invader of their white hegemony, like blacks or browns\u2014just perhaps harder to discern. And it is well known that tolerating one form of racism provides license for other forms. So when Trump unleashes his racist propaganda\u2014Jews and every minority are potential victims.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cFirst of all, they came to take the gypsies
\nand I was happy because they pilfered.
\nThen they came to take the Jews and I said nothing,
\nbecause they were unpleasant to me.
\nThen they came to take homosexuals,
\nand I was relieved, because they were annoying me.
\nThen they came to take the Communists,
\nand I said nothing because I was not a Communist.
\nOne day they came to take me,
\nand there was nobody left to protest.\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\nFellow scientists\u2014it is time to say something. Before they take our pipettes away, together with any remainder of the truth. For those scientists in the US\u2014truth is on the ballot, so make sure you vote.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Many fine articles have been written on the need for scientists to find the right \u201cwork-life balance.\u201d Most of the time, the meaning of a work-life balance is equated with identifying a healthy balance between the need to dedicate significant … Continue reading