[vc_row][vc_column][vc_cta h2=””]We are angered by the continued violence and systematic bias endured by People of Color, especially Black Americans. The same institutional racism which led to the tragic murders of George Floyd, David McActee, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others, is, and will remain, prevalent through the UCSD Physics department until definitive and specific action is taken to affirm that Black Lives Matter. This is clearly evidenced by our consistent inability to effectively recruit Black scholars and, consequently, the distinct lack of Black representation in the UCSD Physics department. It is time to face and actively discuss the shared history of American academia, which is fundamentally founded on platforms designed to oppress People of Color and promote and maintain White supremacy.

We acknowledge the perpetuation of institutional oppression and affirm our responsibility as graduate students to work alongside the department on conceiving and implementing ideas for effective and long-lasting change. While we have been largely ineffective and complacent, Black scholars work relentlessly to fight against this entrenched racism. Last year, the American Physical Society (APS) released a report dedicated to understanding and providing solutions to the underrepresentation of African American students in Physics. The APS found that actually enacting change “…will require, at a minimum, elements of social cognition (understanding how physicists can develop a shared understanding of the need for change and the appropriate mechanisms to accomplish that change), political considerations (the need to build relationships, create coalitions, and examine social power and influence), and culture (examining norms and values, learning and utilizing the power of storytelling) (pg. 56).” We do not expect our requests to be self-contained, but rather an initial point of discussion designed to assist with the wide variety of necessary changes. Ultimately, our central goal is to develop a supportive environment where students, faculty, and staff of all races and identities thrive.

-Graduate Student Diversity Initiative (GSDI)[/vc_cta][/vc_column][/vc_row]