Science is Not Perfect. Fight for It Anyway.
If there’s one thing almost anyone can agree on, it’s that science is not perfect. From the publish-or-perish culture rampant in academia to the historic discrimination against women and BIPOC by the medical establishment, scientists and laypeople alike have been vocal about problems with science. Even so, I am here to invite you to Stand Up for Science tomorrow, March 7th, to make a case for science with all its imperfections.
My name is Grace and I’m 21 years old. I organize with Mass 50501 as a designer, chant leader, and performer. You may have seen the flyer I made for Good Trouble last July or the Boston ICE Tea Party last December, or seen me perform at RAGE Against The Regime last August. I also organize with Stand Up For Science (SUFS), a national organization mobilizing to defend America’s science. We were formed in February 2025 in response to the Trump administration’s dismantling of scientific institutions. We believe that science is the lifeblood of American democracy and freedom, and are mobilizing to fight for science and democracy, for us and for future generations.
Growing up, my peers and I were told that we were talented and had potential, and that we should use that potential in STEM. Many of us listened. We chose fields like medicine or climate science—science that helps people. We dream of becoming doctors and professors and more, conducting research that helps the world, whether it be studying the diseases that afflict us, mathematically modeling social issues, or studying how the oceans change in a warming world. Now, as we enter the workforce, the rug is being pulled out from under our feet. The career paths we dreamed of are disappearing as the Trump administration destroys the NIH, the NSF, and other scientific institutions that are the backbone of American science. Many of us are facing a choice: do I pursue my dreams of doing science that will help the world, or do I get a job that pays enough to survive? I organize with SUFS because I believe we shouldn’t have to make that choice.
That isn’t to say we defend every aspect of science. From unethical human experimentation to ignoring women at the doctor’s office and everything in between, there are reasons public trust in science is eroding. But standing up for science doesn’t mean fighting to maintain the status quo. It means fighting to preserve what makes science a force for good. Fighting to preserve objectivity and keep science separate from political influence, while making sure policy is evidence-based. It is impossible to address the problems in science or repair the harm that academia has done in communities when science is defunded. Is the NIH perfect? No. But even so, it is worth fighting for. I hope tomorrow’s rally brings you all hope and helps you believe that science is worth fighting for.
I hope to see you tomorrow at Parkman Bandstand at 12pm. Our flyer is attached below.
Much love,
Grace
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