Bringing Antiracism to Physics
Kyle Williams, founder and moderator of A Long Talk, and Amada Paris, SPS chapter president and a lead event organizer, pose for a photo during the event. Photo courtesy of Georgetown University’s SPS chapter.
In an effort to promote a culture of active antiracism in Georgetown physics, our SPS chapter recently partnered with the physics department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to host an event with A Long Talk About The Uncomfortable Truth. The organization aims to “eradicate racism and dismantle systemic oppression in America.” It was founded in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the calls for racial justice in 2020.
The event brought together 20 undergraduate and graduate students, along with several faculty and staff members, for an eye-opening conversation about how systemic racism has affected the United States generally and the field of physics specifically.
Over two hours, moderators guided us through the uncomfortable but important reality of racism. The discussion had three goals: to address how the history of the US affects the present, to offer tools to help challenge racist comments and beliefs, and to provide action items for improving the community.
“I found [the event] to be very important, meaningful, and educational,” says Sophie Taylor, a physics major and Georgetown SPS chapter board member. “I especially found the protocol provided by A Long Talk to be very important to learn about, since it provides a step-by-step and actionable way to combat racism in everyday life.”
A Long Talk started by bringing these conversations to college-level sports teams but has since partnered with a wide range of organizations, including the American Mathematical Society. Amada Paris, current Georgetown SPS chapter president and an organizer for the event, first encountered the organization through the swim and dive team. After experiencing two of their sessions, she worked alongside SPS to bring the group to the physics department.
“Physics is not as objective as people tend to believe,” Paris says. “The direction of scientific research will be affected by the culture of physics, which is why diversity in the field is so important. A Long Talk came to help us change that culture, to help us learn how to confront our biases, and ultimately to make physics an environment where everyone is safe.”
The goal of A Long Talk is simple, according to founder Kyle Williams. “We want to put an antiracist at every dinner table in America,” he says. “Every space that people occupy, we want to have at least one voice in the room that’s not going to just allow the normalcy of—whether it’s racism or sexism or just all these negative or divisive conversations going on.”
If A Long Talk’s goal is to put an antiracist at every dinner table, Paris says, “Our goal is to put an antiracist in every physics classroom on campus.”
LEARN MORE
To learn more about A Long Talk and its events, visit alongtalk.com .
Get Money for Inclusive Chapter Events
This event was supported by an SPS Future Faces of Physics Award. These awards, of up to $600, are available for chapter programs or events that promote physics and astronomy across cultures. Applications are due November 15 each year. Learn more at spsnational.org/awards/future-faces .
