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I received this email last week from a postdoc @JohnsHopkins. It has been a rough week for me reflecting on this. This is another example of racism and hostility towards immigrants in academia. (1/14) #racism #AcademicTwitter
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I have met this postdoc only a few times. I don't know the person referenced in the subject line or the other person this email was also sent to. I hid their name as I'm not sure if they are comfortable with me sharing their personal info. (2/14)
All recipients of this email are Brown scientists. We took this matter to the office of institutional equity (OIE) at JHU but they told me a formal investigation cannot be opened since this person resigned the same day they sent that email! (3/14)
This was a demoralizing moment as I felt they won’t be held accountable for their abhorrent racial slurs. My options to take action were very limited at this point. I was advised multiple times by senior scientists that it wouldn't be a good idea to take this to twitter. (4/14)
I realized that PIs are not well-equipped to respond to such events. I was even advised by immigrant scientists that I should not take any further action as this might jeopardize my future in the US. I wanted to share my experience and couldn’t let this go unnoticed. (5/14)
Should I expose this person's name? How would they retaliate? Would this put my future in the US at risk as an international student? Especially in the current political climate? R they troubled enough to put me and my labmates in danger if I exposed them on social media? (6/14)
These were some of the questions I struggled with a lot this past week.I have drafted and discarded a lot of tweets during this past week. It is difficult to find the right words to describe the situation and emotions I have been experiencing. (7/14)
I wanted to share my experience and how conflicted I felt about telling my story this past week with PIs and advisors. Making your labs safe environments for #BIPOC , LGBTQIA+, and immigrant students and staff is crucial! (8/14)
Considering students at multiple intersections of these identities is also of great importance. You do not have to be their everything but the understanding of their experience goes far in advising. (9/14)
I still feel conflicted about exposing this “scientist” name. They leave Hopkins not facing any meaningful ramifications for their actions. Connections from collaborations forged here will be used to advance their career further. (10/14)
This is why I am mostly disappointed in JHU OIE and their lack of investigation. They provided no steps for preventing this in the future nor will take any proactive steps to ensure this person does not face any future consequences for their actions. (11/14)
I hope university administrators can take time to reflect on this since this is neither the first and certainly not the last time this will happen. (12/14)
That being said, I want to appreciate @HopkinsEngineer and @JHUBME for taking the initiative with regard to diversity and inclusion in our community. We have a long way to go but understanding that the problem is rooted inside our scientific communities is important (13/14):
