My commentaries in Forbes tend to focus on weather, climate, and broadly related science. I am a scientist and educator not a journalist so my perspectives are often motivated by certain angles that I can bring to a topic. In recent weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) struck down race-specific college dminissions tools. The U.S. military academies were not affected by the ruling. While this has been called an “end” to affirmative action, some argue that it still exists in other forms related to legacy or affluence. Many thoughts have been swirling through my head on the topic, but a random view of the uniqueness and beauty of a rainbow helped shape my thoughts for you herein. Everyone associates vibrant colors with a rainbow. That’s what makes a rainbow unique and interesting. Let’s further reflect on that point as it relates to the affirmative action ruling.
Speaking of reflection, I will start with the science of rainbow formation. The National Weather Service (NWS) website has an accessible explanation. It says, “As light enters the raindrop, it is refracted (the path of the light is bent to a different angle), and some of the light is reflected by the internal, curved, mirror-like surface of the raindrop, and finally is refracted back out the raindrop toward the observer.” Raindrops (or even spray from a hose or waterfall) are somewhat circular shaped, which results in a circular reflection. However, the Earth typically prevents us from seing the full circular entity. If the sun is lower on the horizon, you typically see more of the rainbow.
Ok, so what about the colors? The NWS website goes on to note, “Since the various colors that make up white light all have slightly different wavelengths, each color becomes slightly separated from the others as the light ray is refracted and reflected.” That is how we see the brilliance and beauty of the rainbow. Rainbows would not stimulate discussions, viral photos, or folklore without their signature colors.
When I decided to go into the field of atmospheric sciences, it was a monochromatic rainbow metaphorically speaking. Heck, it still is. According to a 2017 study from the American Meteorological Society (AMS), rougly two percent of the field are African American, and around three percent are Latino or Hispanic. Candidly, my field is lacking some color in its “rainbow,” and that is pretty typical of just about any field of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). A 2023 study published in the International Journal of STEM Education discussed the need for more inclusive environments and deconstruction of institutional shortcomings.
To my knowledge, I am still the first African American to receive a doctorate in meteorology from Florida State University, and the second African American to serve as President of the American Meteorological Society. These are not points of pride for me. They are actually recognitions of disgust and sadness. I am fairly young for these “first” and “seconds” to have lingered this long. Even as you read this, reflect on how many Black or Hispanic STEM teachers you had in elementary, middle or high school.
Though I made A’s, was Valedictorian of my High School class, attained a doctorate, had success as a NASA scientist, was honored at The White House, and was elected to 3 national Academies, I have confronted the innuendo that somehow I had a “leg up” or “took” someone’s spot. To this day, I recall a former graduate student telling me that a Professor at another instution told him that my successful career was because of my race. A few years ago I documented in Forbes about a message thread by a group of scientists, many of whom I know, was accidentally shared with me. It suggested the same narrative simply because they disagreed with my writings on climate change. Thankfully, I am wired to dismiss such foolishness or use it as motivation. Others may not be, and there is part of your retention challenge.
Many institutions understand, metaphorically, the beauty of a rainbow with colors. They understand that the next great medical discovery, engineering marvel, or national hero may come from a marginalized or disadvantaged community. They also understand something that has gotten lost in the narrative. Most of institutions have student populations that are not reflective of the state or national racial percentages. I am a three-time alumnus of Florida State University, which currently has a Black population of 8.9%. However, the U.S. Census numbers place the state’s Black population at 17.0%.
As I alluded to earlier, military academies were exempted from the Supreme Court ruling. Caitlin Yilek and Kathryn Watson wrote at CBSNews.com that Chief Justice John Roberts cited two reasons for the exemption – “….the academies were not parties in the cases, and second, that there were “potentially distinct interests” involved.” I wonder if this a nod to the value of a more colorful “rainbow” in our vital military leadership. And by the way, thank you all who have served for your service.
Some narratives might have you under the impression that the majority of colleges or universities in the U.S. were using race as an admissions smoking gun. They were not. According to an NPR report, about forty percent of American colleges or universities had some race-based indicators (out of many), and they tended to be very highly-selective or expensive institutions whose student base would have disproportionate access to test preparatory classes, tutors, and other expensive resources. Studies have shown that California’s most selective institutions have lagged behind in brightening its rainbow since its residents voted to end race-based affirmative action in 1996. Going forward, the state may offer some clues on how to move forward in post-SCOTUS ruling era.
Let me now circle back to my little personal arc in the rainbow. My wife and I have instilled in our kids that they belong in any room and to ignore negativity they encounter because of the insecurity of others. As for my STEM-related arc, I was pleased to see the AMS and the National Academies (two of which I am a member of) issue statements on the SCOTUS ruling. The AMS statement said, “In light of Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, the American Meteorological Society (AMS) reaffirms our commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice (EIJ)….As such, EIJ is at the core of AMS’s mission, essential to developing the workforce needed to tackle the complex and multi-faceted problems of our time, and central to the advancement of humanity and the human experience.”
The Academies statement took a broader view. It read, “Yesterday the Supreme Court issued a ruling to restrict affirmative action that will present challenges to efforts to diversify the nation’s colleges and universities.” It also articulated the following points:
- A 2011 National Academies report found that policies, including affirmative action, increase participation among historically-underrepresented groups at postsecondary levels.
- That same report, according to the statement, affirmed that, “….Increasing their participation and success contributes to the health of the nation by expanding the science and engineering talent pool, enhancing innovation, and improving the nation’s global economic leadership.”
- A 2023 National Academies report challenged institutions to address individual bias and discrimination and to take a fresh look at processes that cause or advance negative outcomes for certain groups.
To this day, I reflect on the times people assumed that my presence in a hotel or convention center was as a staff worker or service provider. I was actually the keynote speaker or President of the organization. I still ponder why it is considered a compliment to say, “I speak so well” after a keynote address or that I am a “credit to my race.” Most of my colleagues tell me that they rarely receive such statements.
By the way, monochromatic rainbows do exist. However, a multi-colored one is far more interesting. I cannot image anyone saying, “I don’t see color in that rainbow.” It is kind of the point.
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