Photo Guy Ackermans Russia to Ukraine, China to Taiwan, Israel to Palestine, and now, USA to Canada, Greenland, Mexico, and Panama. The relational narrative between those countries is easily told, and clear evidence that human history is back to the era of imperialism.
The most concerning example is USA, which is audaciously recurring to any possibility there is to exert intimidation, calumniate, and create controversy. It seems such approach is a strategy from the infamous president of the USA to tag along with his peers from Russia, China, and Israel, aiming to protect their frontiers by expanding them. Imperialism is not only a matter of territory, but also of the integrity of our societies and their participants.
Every day since Trump assumed his position as president of the USA, the imposition of the new administration is already wreaking havoc in their society
Every day since Trump assumed his position as president of the USA, the imposition of the new administration is already wreaking havoc in their society. Among some of the devastating measures include withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization, escalating stricter immigrational policies, and halting diversity, equity, and inclusion and transgender rights. Finally, and to our concern as scientists, the new administration has immediately restricted, cancelled, and frozen any scientific activity in the National Institute of Health (NIH).
Such authoritative and detrimental approaches are not foreign to Europe. In the Netherlands we have been witnesses of the budget cutting which has also created pressing scenarios of uncertainty about the future of science and education in the country and universities like WUR. Imperialism prompts and incentivises inequality, oppression, and the opposite of evidence-based practices. Let us not be appalled by such dark times but reflect about ways to fight back.
Willy Contreras-Avilés (34) is a second-year PhD candidate in Horticulture and Biochemistry of medicinal cannabis, from Panama. He likes to dance (perrear), cook Italian food, and swim.
