What is a scientist after all? It is a curious man looking through a keyhole, the keyhole of nature, trying to know what's going on.
~ Jacques Cousteau
When it comes to careers, have you ever had someone be taken back by your path and say, “Really?! I’ve never met someone in your profession that looks like you!” In my field of marine biology, this happens almost every day. It's like their mind is doing hurdles and mental gymnastics on how and why I have chosen to do what I do. “How interesting, I thought black people can’t swim.”
Or “Aren’t you afraid of sharks?” These are some of the common retorts I hear. To answer your questions: yes, I can swim as a proud graduate of the school of my dad, and in fact, I enjoy swimming with sharks. It shows signs of a healthy ecosystem.
Welcome to the world of being a black marine biologist. My story isn’t unique either; it happens all across our field. Yet some of my closest friends are people of color trying our damnedest to navigate these warming waters. And you know what? We are damn successful. We're leading conferences, publishing papers, and running non profits. We are everywhere and contributing to everything.
Whatever you do in this life, do it with all of your ability.
So why subscribe and continue reading what I have to say? Maybe you will…
• Learn about marine ecosystems
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• Explore a day in the life of a scientist
• Gain a new perspective of someone in the field
• Read random stories from my random life
• Ask Me Anything!