“Some people don’t recognize systemic racism for the same reason fish don’t recognize oceans. They've never known life outside it.”

“Because they would. Thats why they think you did.” From my experience, every accusation is a confession….

Whenever times get hard, this scene always bring my focus back and reminds me of the promise I made my daddy before he died... ASNF (A son never forgets) #MenOfHonor

When I show up to work, I have to lose my humanity. Black people are typically only accepted when we smile, accept disrespect, have unlimited empathy, and remain docile. If we exhibit regular human behavior we are treated as though we are violent, angry, intimidating people. #BlackInSTEM

All those “allies” who left Twitter because of increased racism……look at their Bluesky account and you’ll see not one mention of the injustices Black Americans have faced in the past few months let alone the past couple of years….

Happy Juneteenth. 👊🏾

“It’s a question of making the country grow up”

We could really use Carl Sagan right about now… #books #reading #history #libraries

New perspective paper out in ACS ES&T titled Potential Release of Micro- and Nanoplastics from Stormwater Infrastructure. This paper came out of a failed grant submission but highlights a mechanism of microplastic pollution that is severely underestimated.

White privilege isn't about calling white people bad. It's about recognizing how race still shapes who gets believed, protected, welcomed, and given opportunity.

Not surprised…..

“claiming to be progressive while dismissing or silencing the concerns of marginalized groups is a fundamental contradiction.”

A lot of “allies” who posted black squares on IG years ago and said they were “doing the work” are very silent in regards to the Karmelo Anthony verdict as well as the murder of Cyrus Carmack-Belton. It’s not surprising in the slightest. Speaking up on these matters requires people to actually care.

"To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a state of rage almost, almost all of the time ." — James Baldwin

“ I read someone saying that being Black in America is exhausting. But it’s not. Being Black is wonderful. Racism is what’s exhausting.”

“Nobody defended you. Not because they didn't know. Because keeping the peace mattered more than protecting you.”

Imagine how much could be avoided if people just left Black people alone….

I don’t have faith this country will ever find a way out of this mess. I used to, but now I feel foolish for ever believing in the first place. This is a Karmelo Anthony post.

In most of societies eyes, when you are Black you are only seen as violent, angry, or aggressive. You’re never a victim or defending yourself.

A jury convicts Texas teen, Karmelo Anthony, of murder in fatal stabbing of 17-year-old athlete from a rival team at a high school track meet.

In the past month we’ve seen the murderer of a Black boy go free after shooting him in the back for “shoplifting”. Today we get the verdict of another where a Black boy defended himself and was found guilty of murder. You can’t walk away or stand your ground. Death or prison are the only options

The murder of Cyrus Carmack-Belton, a 14 year old child invokes the same feeling I had when it was Trayvon Martin. As the father of a young black boy who looks older than his age, I fear for him everyday. I wish he could grow up and not know this fear.

People will play stupid and act dumb when you highlight the tightrope that Black people have to walk on just to make it home safe, every day.

The Cyrus trail and that coward Rick Chow snatching life from a 14yo and claiming self-defense and walking FREE is the thing we Black folk are always talking about! This injustice is right after the recent lynching of another 14yo Black girl that happen literal a week before the verdict!

A South Carolina jury acquitted Rick Chow of malice murder charges in the 2023 shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. Surveillance video from Chow’s gas station showed the teen handling four water bottles before putting them back.

“Grace Is For MISTAKES, Not PATTERNS” ‼️

It’s official!!!!

“Every time you rescue people from consequences, you interrupt accountability.”

Being an ally from behind a keyboard is vastly different than standing in uncomfortable spaces and actually being an ally to marginalized people. Not choosing whiteness but choosing what is right and holding people accountable for their actions. chacruna.net/white_allysh...

Busy spring semester and summer starting up our NSF project developing a mass-balance model to understand plastic and microplastic capture and removal in ponds. It’s been a hectic few months but things are going smoothly (for now)! Thanks to these grad/UG researchers for making my life very easy

“when people come into your life that are meant to be there, they won’t be intimidated, or have all the negative connotations of the term. Instead, they’ll be challenged, they’ll be in awe, hopefully, they’ll be inspired, or perhaps they’ll learn something new.”

Those of us who called this administration racist from day one were called alarmist and worse. Now they are just dumping sewage in Black neighborhoods, as was common during Jim Crow and those same folks are quite. Also, shout out to all the academics with “sincere concerns” about DEI.

In a small bit of positive science news, my NSF CAREER award was funded! I can't wait to spend the next 5 years tackling basic science questions in salamanders with my awesome research group. While many challenges lie ahead, in this moment I am very grateful. 😌 #NSFCAREER

Good news. Roots returning to libraries in Knox County Schools. www.wbir.com/article/news...

New Policy Analysis published in ES&T. Environmentally Safe and Just Pharmacy: A Framework and Action Plan for Operating within the Earth System Boundary for Novel Entities | pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/... Thanks to @alistairboxall.bsky.social and @bryanwbrooks.bsky.social for leading our team!

New Policy Analysis paper out today in Environmental Science & Technology, where we outline a framework for an Environmentally Safe and Just Pharmacy 💊🌍 A big thanks to @alistairboxall.bsky.social @bryanwbrooks.bsky.social and the amazing team! Open Access paper 👉 pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Incorporating plastic pollution into the global change framework doi.org/10.1088/1748... via @ioppublishing.bsky.social

Former Sea Grant fellow Austin Gray - now a professor of aquatic toxicology at @virginiatech.bsky.social - is investigating the "Plastisphere," exploring what happens when microbes meet microplastics...

Adrian Figg, an Assistant Professor at @virginiatech.bsky.social @vtchemdept.bsky.social and one of C&EN's 2026 Talented Twelve, is constructing polymers to bridge with proteins: cen.acs.org/materials/po... #CENT12 #chemsky 🧪

“As a scientist, I’m here to serve people.” 🤝 Austin Gray’s humble beginning in research feeds into a constant curiosity that he hopes can lead to a better understanding of microplastics and their impact on human health. Read more ➡️ brnw.ch/21wYVmo

GCC affiliate Dr. Austin Gray is featured in Virginia Tech News for his research on microplastics and their impacts on wildlife and human health, including suspected microplastics in dolphin breath, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists.