June 09, 2020
MetSoc position on Discrimination and Racial Bias
The following message has been approved by the Council of the MetSoc:
Dear Meteoritical Society Members,
We have been watching with the rest of the world the unfolding of recent events in the United States and the resulting turmoil. This brings home to us yet again that we have a ways to go before we achieve the just and equitable world that we all aspire to. If unacknowledged and unchecked, discrimination and injustice can enter any organization or community – and can destroy the very foundations upon which we are building our future.
We are a small society, but our membership is diverse and spans the globe. As an international scientific society, and per our position statement on inclusiveness (https://meteoritical.org/society/governance/position-statement), we are committed to a diverse and inclusive community that promotes the well being of all its members. We realize that change comes with both small and bold steps in the right direction. As an example, we have asked our Endowment Committee to proactively consider support of initiatives and programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community. We affirm that discrimination and injustice have no place at the Meteoritical Society, in science, or in society as a whole. I am confident in our ability to be a force for science, a force for good, and for positive change in society.
It is our hope that we come together as colleagues and friends to support one another and to support others in our communities beyond our Society. Science, scientists, and science advocates are going to be critical to ensuring we successfully navigate these challenging times together.
Meenakshi Wadhwa
President, The Meteoritical Society