One oft seen quote is, “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars” (Oscar Wilde*). This quote is a reminder that we are all equal and we are all in the mire of life, but we can – sometimes – look beyond the mire of our reality and look toward something true and bright.

Science is true, and in the swirling quagmire of our modern world, I personally find sanctuary in the quiet, bright company of stars.

Here at CosmoQuest, all are welcome. In this time when there are too many global tragedies taking place local to too many of our community members, I want you to know we wish for you to be safe, be well, and come help us explore our universe when you can. Our hope is that if we acknowledge, as stated so well by Astronomers without Borders, that we are all one people sharing one sky, maybe it will get easier for us to show each other compassion and understanding.

There are too many places in our world that are literally and figuratively on fire for me to list them and ask for you to act to help those who need help. Instead, I want to say that in this place we will tolerate no hate. This is a place where people are accepted without regard to their color, culture, religion or lack of religion, their education level, their wealth, or their caste. We do not care who you love, but only that you find love in this world. We believe that everyone can do great things, and we want you to be part of us doing great things.

If you have the capacity to act, please help those who need it.

If you just need a safe place for your mind to find sanctuary in science, please come here and be welcome.

[edited 40min. after original post to add paragraph below and to correct the lay/lie issue in the title]

This article didn’t originally state #BlackLivesMatter because I couldn’t find an adequate way to also express our sorrow for refugees and other people killed through hate, apathy, and silence. No life should be thrown away. When humans with the potential to be the next Albert Einstein or Chris Hadfield are washing up on beaches, being struck dead walking home with Twizzlers, and sometimes just die dancing or playing in the park… I have no words to express my sorrow. Our support does not say these lives matter more than others, but rather we recognize that culturally (in different ways in different places), some populations are treated as though they matter less. This is wrong. We are proud of the people within CosmoQuest who are peacefully participating in the #BlackLivesMatter movement, #pride, and those who are opening their homes and communities to people escaping potential death in their native lands. We see your compassion and commend it. -Pamela

featured image and video credit: NASA / astronaut Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore

* Oscar Wilde has been one of my favorite authors since I was a child and found a book of his fairytales. As I have grown, I have found his more mature content, and he has challenged my thinking in ways that made me better. I’d encourage you to explore his works if you haven’t before. Most are available for free through the Project Gutenberg.