February is Black History Month. We still have much to learn about Black history. As a blue-eyed white guy, I have zero fear of knowing the truth about the cruel injustices suffered by Black Americans, and their astonishing contributions, especially in science. I want to know the truth. I despise ignorance, especially willful ignorance.
Pursuing truth drives us scientists. We’re not OK with nonsense. The world is a mess because too many people are OK with nonsense, and fear truth. My fantasy is that all people be scientific, because scientists question ourselves, and are not afraid to change our minds, because that allows learning and progress.
Stellar Black scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson says: “Any time scientists disagree, it’s because we have insufficient data. Then we can agree on what kind of data to get; we get the data; and the data solve the problem. Either I’m right, or you’re right, or we’re both wrong. And we move on. That kind of conflict resolution does not exist in politics or religion.”
We can all be scientific, because being so is not just in the training; it’s in the attitude, of following truth, verifiably, honestly and courageously.
