We are living through revolutionary times that demand justice for black lives while simultaneously doing so during a pandemic that seems to increasingly infect more people on the daily. My heart swells with invigoration seeing how our society is rightfully remolding itself in numerous ways from recognizing the excessive extent of police brutality to normalizing conversations about race and privilege. With that being said, it is frustrating to hear the false narratives attacking and belittling the Black Lives Matter movement — especially coming from individuals who also have a complete disregard for the seriousness of the pandemic. My heart that has expanded with optimism and enthusiasm feels as if it is being pricked by the needle of Defeat, but that does not mean I am not at the ready with a First Aid Kit. I am not hopeless, and I do believe that we have the determination to bring about necessary reform.
It’s important to note that as a privileged person who hasn’t experienced the hardships many African Americans face, I recognize that the BLM movement is meant to amplify and support the voices of Black Americans. I hope I don’t come across as revolving the movement around my own feelings.
What reinforces my belief in the strength of humanity is reading some of the recent blog posts. While they may be home to a small part of the Internet and aren’t representative of how our country feels, I know that the posts are the honest thoughts of my peers. There is a comfort knowing that there are others you (somewhat) know, rather than strangers, who possess similar beliefs. Many of the fellows have expressed how they are seeing parallels within their personal research and the current events of social justice and identity. Likewise, I now value my project even more. Rather than just focusing on the health-care/molecular biology aspects, I now have a better understanding of the project’s social implications. It is encouraging to read how all of the other fellows are continuing their work and finding the silver linings in what’s happening in this world. Furthermore, I can sense the passion everyone has in their work even if it has nothing to do with social identity. It is as if they feel strengthened by today’s social climate to be even more driven to conduct their research.
The blog posts have served as a symbolic reminder to me that there are people working to uncover the truth and to help the greater good. On a global scale, I hope that humanity holds onto its passion for justice. Within our WAGSFP cohort, I hope we all continue our research and let our ambitions motivate us forward.
From my home to yours,
Sabrina Iqbal
Kudos to this amazing post!!