White scientists who want to attend an upcoming marine science conference will have to pay a fee, unlike their BIPOC counterparts.
The virtual conference, POSea 2021 Conference, according to a description of the event, celebrates “BIPOC voices in marine science.”
The main conference events are scheduled to take place between 4 p.m. Friday, October 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday, October 3. There will also be a “BIPOC only preview event” on July 31.
White scientists who want to join the conference and specifically the main conference events will have to pay a fee of $10 or what conference organizers describe as an “ally ticket.” However, scientists of color do not have to purchase a ticket to attend the event.
“Allies are welcome to attend the main conference events and support the conference by purchasing a $10 ally ticket. The conference is free for BIPOC scientists,” the conference description says.
The conference is co-hosted by Latinx in the Marine Sciences, Minorities in Shark Sciences, Minorities in Aquarium, and Zoo Science, Black Women in Ecology, Evolution and Marine Science, and BIPOC in Ocean Science.
The event page said the event “will provide networking opportunities and professional development opportunities for participants while showcasing the work of BIPOC marine scientists from around the world.”
Not a first: A Pride event in Seattle, titled “Taking B[l]ack Pride,” came under scrutiny after it said that it would charge white attendees a “reparation fee” of $10 to $50.
“White allies and accomplices are welcome to attend but will be charged a $10 to $50 reparations fee (and given a wrist band as proof of payment) that will be used to keep this event free of cost for BLACK AND BROWN Trans and Queer COMMUNITY but to also ensure that performers can be paid well,” the event page read.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy said in a funding announcement for the agency’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy that the race of applicants might be taken into consideration when awarding grants.
The announcement noted that “The Selection Official may consider the inclusion of these types of entities as part of the selection.”
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