Equity and Inclusion in the Chemical Sciences Requires Actions not Just Words

摘要

The following joint Editorial was also published in ACS Central Science (DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c00784). The chronic effects of institutionalized racism in America have been laid bare in recent weeks by murders caught on film as well as by the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black and LatinX people. Against this backdrop, last week Angewandte Chemie published (and then removed) an article entitled, "'Organic synthesis-Where now?' is 30 years old. A reflection on the current state of affairs". It has been heartening to see the near unanimity of the chemistry community in condemning the archaic views about diversity, inclusion, and mentoring as well as the xenophobia expressed in this paper. This condemnation included a statement by Angewandte that "the values expressed in this piece do not reflect our values of fairness, trustworthiness, and social awareness", denunciations from chemical societies around the world, the resignation of a large portion of the journal's international advisory board, and an outpouring of criticism on social media.