ESA Opposes White House Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping

Annapolis, MD; September 30, 2020—For science to serve all of society, it must embrace diversity within its ranks and acknowledge and actively work against the inherent biases that lead to systemic exclusion of underrepresented groups in scientific institutions. The Entomological Society of America strongly opposes the White House’s recently released Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping. While veiled as a step toward equality, the Order instead represents an unnecessary restriction on our nation’s efforts to understand and eliminate systemic bias.

The potential chilling effect on the ongoing progress being made within the scientific community is as concerning as it is far-reaching. We must not hide our heads in the sand and pretend that bias does not exist. Rather, the pursuit of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice demand we shine a light on inequities in society so that we may collectively work to solve them. For these reasons, ESA calls on the Administration to rescind its Executive Order.

CONTACT: Joe Rominiecki, jrominiecki@entsoc.org, 301-731-4535 x3009

ABOUT: ESA is the largest organization in the world serving the professional and scientific needs of entomologists and people in related disciplines. Founded in 1889, ESA today has more than 7,000 members affiliated with educational institutions, health agencies, private industry, and government. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, the Society stands ready as a non-partisan scientific and educational resource for all insect-related topics. For more information, visit www.entsoc.org.