UI Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology Leadership Statement on Racism and Equality

• The leadership of the Anatomy and Cell Biology department is dismayed by the recent violent deaths of unarmed Black citizens Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others at the hands of the police.
• We believe these acts of violence reflect persistent systemic racism in American society.
• We understand that in a biological sense, the difference between dark skin and light skin is simply a matter of how much and what kind of melanin a person’s melanocytes make. 
• We further understand that the content of melanin in one’s skin has no bearing on one’s basic rights to feel safe in society, to be valued, to be respected, and to pursue love, happiness, and fulfillment.
• White individuals, who as a group have benefited from the unjust structure of society, have a particular obligation to work to reverse discrimination.  
• While we have far to go as individuals, as a scientific community, and as a larger society, recognizing the problem is an important first step.
• We are dedicated to fostering an environment where prejudice based on skin complexion, race, religious background, age, gender identity, or sexual preference, is not tolerated.