Because of its ability to see deeper into space time than any previous instrument, the Hubble Space Telescope has completely transformed the way we view the universe and ourselves. . The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), often referred to as “the next Hubble,” promises to do the same. Connected for launch later this year, JWST will peer deeper into the universe than any previous optical or infrared telescope, promising to show a glimpse of the galaxies of the universe. childhood and exploring a world in which to live. Such data not only gives us an insight into the universe but also helps us to place our concerns in context. It is unfortunate, therefore, that NASA ‘s current plan to launch this amazing instrument into space carries the name of a man whose legacy is at its most complex and, at worst, complex.
James Webb, a professional civil servant in whom his time in the State Department under Truman was involved in the advancement of psychological warfare as a tool of Cold War, later as NASA administrator in charge of the Apollo program. When he joined NASA in 1961, his leadership role meant that he was partly responsible for implementing the federal policy of the time: purging LGBT people from the staff. When at State, this policy was carried out by men working under Webb. As early as 1950, he was aware of this policy, and there is clear evidence that he was involved in supporting negotiations in the Senate that abolished what is now known to him. called Lavender Scare.
Many astronauts feel indebted to Webb’s work as NASA’s administrator. Appreciation and nostalgia for a time that NASA thrived through the Apollo program is easy to understand as an incentive to use the name JWST. But while respect and nostalgia may be important causes, they are not enough. While Webb may have had a good place at NASA, his larger legacy outside of NASA is relevant. Without the knowledge of Webb’s silence at State and his involvement in waging a psychological war as a tool in the arms industry, our gratitude for his work may have been enough. With that knowledge, we believe it is time to rename JWST because the name of such an important mission, which promises to live in the popular and scientific psyche for decades, is a mirror of the our values.
Around 2015, the history of Webb’s complexity with persecution came to light. Although some astronauts took over at the time, many in the community felt it was an opportunity to change the name of the telescope. An astronaut recently recreated this conversation in a personal blog, revealing that a homophobic quota was misreported to Webb on his Wikipedia page (click here for the original version of the post. Inspired by in this attempt to clean up the image of Webb, astronauts on social media, the media began arguing that Webb was not responsible for homophobic activity without this particular quota.
But nothing mediocre has changed. Webb was in charge and in decision-making talks as Lavender Scare expanded. Additional archival evidence, discovered by Columbia astronaut Adrian Lucy after the blog’s publication with a quick review of the archives, confirms Webb’s role as an enabler of homophobic policy talks with members of the Senate.
As a person in a governing position, Webb was ultimately responsible for the policies implemented under his leadership, including homophobic policies that were in place when he became NASA’s administrator. after that. Some argue if Webb was complicated, so everyone was working in administration at the time. We agree. Fortunately, NASA is not launching a telescope named after all the administration, and individually its members would be bad choices for their honor for some of the same reasons Webb does.
Some might be misled into renaming the JWST proposal as a decades-old history-builder, but in reality, discrimination against weird people, including scientists, is affecting the lives and career outcomes of many today and tomorrow. In 2016, the American Corporate Association released the report “LGBT Climate in Physics”. A key finding of the report was that many neural scientists do not feel safe in their workplaces. The climate is restrictive, and physics with a micro-identity, including LBGT + color physics, gets the most distraction and closure. There is LGBTQIA + astro / physics, and they are peripheral. A 2021 study published in Science finds similar results.
This fact is new only as a continuation of a history going back to the time of Webb. Frank Kameny was an astronomer employed by the U.S. Army Map Service. When he refused to provide information about his sexual orientation, he was investigated and shot afterwards. When he failed to get justice through the courts for gay rights in the military, he spent the rest of his life as an activist. While today’s queer freedom organization encourages us to question our relationship with the U.S. military, Kameny’s case is a clear example of homophobic injustice at the time when Webb was active.
At a time when the same hypermasculinist fears of Lavender Scare and other ideological cleansers during the Cold War are also animating the current global movement, what a sign that it contributes to present and future generations of scientists as we prioritize. the legacies of strict government officials about the dreams of the next generation? With the launch of JWST just a few months away, and the administration of a new president (and NASA’s new administrator) taking the lead, NASA has the opportunity to choose a name for JWST that embraces the future of freedom and encouragement for all.
This struggle is not limited to science, or the past: Just a few months ago, the representatives of Castro and Cicilline introduced the LOVE Act, which “requires the Department of the State to commission an independent commission was set up to review the cases of individuals who have been burnt down since 1950 as a result of their sexual orientation, obtaining accurate evidence and records of work. ” The move of the LOVE Act would encourage not only an apology from Congress for being sorry in the Lavender Scare, but it would protect weird diplomats at home and abroad.
James Webb’s legacy is so far from dreaming of freedom possible through a telescope lens, and it’s time for NASA to change the name to something better. We will use this new telescope to learn about galactic history, which will give us an insight into how the universe is holding us. We hope we have learned some lessons about how humanity moves toward the future here on Earth rather than repeating the mistakes of the past. There are always problems when it comes to naming monuments or resources after individuals. A hero is not perfect.
But surely we can name amazing heroes who worked hard to free others. Prior to becoming the director of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman apparently used the disabled and locked North Star, just as Henry Bibb did, to move to freedom. Announcing “the next Hubble” Harriet Tubman’s Space Telescope (HTST) would ensure that her memory will always live in the heavens that gave her and many others hope. The HTST could also be a reminder that the night sky is a shared heritage that belongs to all of humanity, including LGBTQIA + people. The time for lionizing leaders who have chosen to be rooted in a history of damage is over. We should name telescopes out of love for those who came before us and led the way to freedom, and for those who come up after us who should be esteemed.
This is an opinion and analysis article.