Science is a fundamentally human endeavor, whose purpose is to help us understand the world, better our lives, feed our innate curiosity. It is meaningless, empty, and toxic if placed above or in opposition to human rights and human lives. Humanity and justice must come first.

There is a long history of science being used to oppress, to exploit, and to feed racism. As a scientific community, we need to come to terms with that history and with the ongoing injustices we perpetuate. And right now, we need to be working toward justice and equality.

Yesterday, the NASA administrator was praising the president for supporting human spaceflight, while the president was urging violence against protestors fighting for their lives. We cannot voice support for a dangerous, oppressive regime just because it lets us launch rockets.

I am devastated to see the militarized police brutality occurring all around the US right now, reflecting the militarized police brutality that has been occurring on and off camera in Black, Indigenous, and other minority communities since our nation began. I support the protests

I also want to express my support and sympathy for those of my fellow scientists who must face, every day, the reality that US law enforcement does not serve their safety, and who struggle with working through grief when their communities are attacked. I hear you, and I’m sorry.