Diversity in Marine Research

Amplifying underrepresented voices for a holistic perspective.

I am not a good singer. In fact, my singing capabilities are often reserved for the shower, car rides, or making up silly songs for the kids (aka Leo & Lobo).

Yet, I can’t help but think the human experience is sort of like one of a choir kid. Don’t get it twisted – I was a band geek. Through and through! But the band room was next to the choir kids, and due to our demanding schedules, we always seemed to intermingle in the halls. Some of my best friends were in both choir and band (how they managed to juggle that, I have no idea). Because of this, I heard the gossip about what happened during choir. Who backstabbed someone else to get a solo, who was upset they didn’t get a specific part. How some voices were drowned out, overshadowed by the dominant cadence of a few.

Sounds like being human, huh?

I believe every voice contributes to the richness of the narrative that is our lives. Yet, amid the symphony of perspectives, some voices have been historically subdued, marginalized, or altogether silenced.

It’s 2024 – heck, almost the end of it. We can see 2025 around the corner. Isn’t it time we tune our ears to the nuances of every narrative? To amplify the voices that have been historically marginalized and overlooked? Through this, we find not only justice but also the key to a truly holistic perspective. It’s not just an idealistic dream; it is a tangible possibility that holds the power to reshape our understanding of the world.

Amplifying underrepresented voices is not merely about granting a platform; it is about recognizing the inherent value in diverse experiences and viewpoints. It is an acknowledgment that every voice, irrespective of its origin, holds a piece of the truth. A fragment of the broader reality. By elevating these voices, we create a more comprehensive and nuanced melody, where the highs and lows of diverse experiences converge to create a symphony of understanding.

At its core, amplification is an act of empowerment — a gesture that acknowledges the inherent dignity and worth of every individual. It is about creating spaces where voices that have been relegated to the periphery are given center stage — not as tokens of diversity, but as catalysts for meaningful change. In giving underrepresented voices a chance to be the lead singers, we foster a culture where differences are celebrated rather than shunned, and where dialogue transcends the confines of prejudice and ignorance. It is through the amplification of these voices that we confront our biases, challenge our assumptions, and ultimately, expand the boundaries of our empathy.

Yet, amplification alone is not enough.

It must be accompanied by active listening, genuine empathy, and a commitment to action. It requires us to step outside the comfort of our own perspectives and embrace the discomfort of confronting systemic inequities; to actively seek out and value narratives that differ from our own. It demands that we use our privilege not to speak over others, but to elevate their voices—to be allies in the fight for justice and equality. It requires the ‘majority’ audience to sit back and… take it all in.

Take it all in.  

I’m not saying give people a platform as an act of charity or gesture of goodwill. I’m saying that doing so is an investment in innovation and progress. Ideas flourish in the fertile ground nourished by diversity, where the cross-pollination of thoughts gives rise to new and groundbreaking concepts. It is a commitment to building a world where every voice is not only heard but valued—a world where the symphony of human experience rings out in all its vibrant, diverse glory.

Have you ever heard a really good choir? I’m talking the kind whose music makes tears prick your eyes or sends shivers up your arms. My parents used to take me and my little brother to the Singing Trees in Orlando to listen to classic holiday music. It was mostly Christmas jingles we’ve all heard before (hence the ‘trees’ part), but no matter how many times we went, the voices of that choir in harmony always made my chest feel light and airy.

I wonder if that’s what life would feel like if it valued all voices.

It’s almost 2025, mi comunidad, and yet I am here to once again say we must be intentional about creating platforms that amplify voices that have been stifled for too long. From educational institutions to workplaces, policies must be crafted to dismantle barriers that hinder certain voices from reaching their full potential.

I guess that’s my (early) Christmas wish. Wonder if Santa can grant that one.