Dear Colleagues,

The brutal and shocking deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others have shaken our country, eliciting a range of raw emotions from grief to anger. These most recent acts of violence occur at a time when communities of color are disproportionately experiencing severe health, social, and economic harms from the COVID-19 pandemic. ASPET condemns any instances of injustice and racism in America. 

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect are at the core of ASPET's guiding principles. As a scientific organization dedicated to advancing pharmacology, we believe our diverse community strengthens our ability to make a difference in the world around us. We are committed to creating a community of scientists who value each other and the important work we do, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, mental or physical ability, age, gender identity or expressions, or sexual orientation. Hatred, discrimination, and injustice have no place in ASPET, the scientific community, or society at large.

Many of us have been deeply affected by these tragic killings and the recent violence that has erupted around the country. ASPET joins many of its partner scientific organizations in encouraging you to stand up and speak out against human rights violations and injustice. But we also urge you to take stock in these recent events, and dedicate yourself to removing the systemic barriers that exclude persons of color from full participation in the scientific enterprise.

As a scientific community, we are in this together and we must support one another during these challenging times. It is our hope that we come together as a Society to demonstrate a powerful message of community, science, dignity, and respect.

Sincerely,

Wayne Backes
ASPET President