We should all consider the following: What would it mean for Geisel to be a national leader in racial fairness, equity, and justice in all of our missions of science and education? How might we get there? We cannot speed to quick fixes aimed to placate that are not long-term solutions, but we can commit, from this point forward, to working towards this vision as a priority for our school.
"I ask that all of us, our Geisel community members and leaders, reflect on both Dr. Jones’s and Dr. Gomez’s teachings. Educate yourselves, learn more about your privilege, build your capacity for feedback or criticism, master the art of apology, give credit where credit is due, and above all, listen. If you are shocked or surprised by the recent nationwide protests or even the concerns and frustration from Geisel community members, then you have not been truly listening to your most vulnerable colleagues...
"As. Dr. Jones and Dr. Gomez both discussed today, it is not enough to be passively colorblind, we must be actively anti-racist. I encourage you to proactively develop your workplace, teaching environment, and social community into safe spaces for people of color and other marginalized communities...
"So let us not waste this momentum by allowing ourselves to return to the status quo. Let us not render these gruesome deaths to spectacle and let us not continue to exploit the pain of people of color. The time for change is now."
-Interim Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusivity Diana Wu, MD
Student Message to the Geisel Community
Geisel is currently revitalizing our chapter of White Coats 4 Black Lives (WC4BL). In light of the recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Riah Milton and Dominique Rem'Mie Fells, and countless more, as well as the continued acts of police brutality and violence towards BIPOC, it has become abundantly clear that the need for action is now. Or rather, the need has always been present, but the time for real change is now. Geisel has already seen the beginnings of these changes, but we must keep the momentum going--dismantling decades of systemic injustice and oppression takes time. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
With that in mind, here is an introduction to what WC4BL is--
WC4BL is a national medical student-run organization with a mission of dismantling racism in medicine and promoting the health, well-being, and self-determination of people of color.
WC4BL has three main goals:
1. Foster dialogue on racism as a public health concern.
2. End racial discrimination in medical care.
3. Prepare future physicians to be advocates for racial justice.
In pursuit of these goals, we are centered on direct action and concrete change, rather than solely performative allyship.
Additionally, while this is a student lead organization, this work extends to include all healthcare professionals who share this mission. We welcome all DHMC employees in solidarity, and will continue together to spread this work throughout Geisel and DHMC.
If you would like to be part of this organization, please email dartmouthwc4bl@gmail.com. We look forward to the work and collaboration to come.
In solidarity,
Geisel WC4BL