BSA's 2020 Response to Racism Against our Black Colleagues and Community

As the Botanical Society of America, we denounce all forms of racism, harassment and discrimination. Diversity and inclusion are core values of our organization and we are horrified by the recent and ongoing acts of violence and harassment against African Americans.  

We acknowledge that the ingrained and painful legacy of anti-black prejudice and inequality has created conditions in which Black students and colleagues working in classrooms, labs, and field sites are traumatized, frustrated, saddened, and fearful.

We must confront this racism. Change does not happen when we are comfortable and complacent. We are steadfast in our commitment to diversity and unflagging in our efforts to pursue an inclusive and welcoming discipline built on the elimination of racial inequality and injustice. Please join us in using your voice to speak up when you witness injustice. Model compassion, respect, stewardship and community.  

The best science and the best societies are founded on the ideas of all who wish to have a voice. We commit to work even harder to be a society in which all individuals are valued and we welcome diversity in gender, age, sex, race, class, religion, ethnicity, ability, language, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

To provide feedback to the Society on ways we can make improvements in relation to DEI, please use this form.