La Crosse Public Library discussion

This is a tough book to read, yet I plan to buy a copy for my granddaughter, who wants to be a scientist.

The first few chapters express the joy of science shining through the author as a 10 year old visionary. As her education progresses in Physics and Astrophysics and Astronomy, from BA to Masters to PhD, she encounters academic discrimination, sexism, white male dominance, rape, abuse and evidence of theft of scientific results occurring throughout the history of the profession. This could be validating for some readers or change their worldview.

The author is a Black American and feels her background led her to different responsibilities, such as supporting her fellow Black or Hispanic students and co-workers, and practices, such as joining the Native Hawaiian protest against building a telescope on sacred land, unlike her white counterparts in academia. Be selfish to succeed is some of the advice she receives. Chanda chooses otherwise.

Interesting historical anecdotes, family stories, movie and musical references throughout the book lend relief from strident, justifiable anger. Chanda is currently a professor of physics and astronomy at the University of New Hampshire.

“I work daily to understand myself as a quark assembly of supernova remnants on a journey to know and honor all our galactic relations.” (Page 233)