An American girl awarded for her research: from racism to recognition

For the first time, an American university has honored a little girl for her scientific work. The prestigious Yale plant in Connecticut has awarded Bobbi Wilson, a fifth grader, for her research on mottled lanterns, an invasive species of Asian butterfly.

This story is as joyful as it is bitter as it also illustrates the racist climate that reigns in the United States. The girl in question is black, and the searches for her, which eventually made her famous, first earned her an arrest by the police.

The little researcher and the racist neighbor

The spotted lantern, or Lycorma delicatula, is an insect native to Asia. This butterfly species has no predators in the United States and is currently threatening eastern ecosystems. After studying this animal in class and learning how to eradicate it, a nine-year-old girl decided to put her learning into practice by neutralizing the mottled lanterns that populated her garden. She has brought water, soap and vinegar to spray the tree trunks and repel the bugs. Her neighbor intervened on the spot before notifying the carabinieri, very worried about the “shady” behavior of this ” little black woman“. The police took her threat seriously and immediately intervened to arrest the girl and interrogate her.

Racist stereotypes continue to plague the United States. A 2020 study summarizing sixteen years of research found that a black child was six times more likely to be shot by police. Even today, 81% of African Americans believe that racism is very present in American society, with supporting data: the numerous studies carried out on the subject reveal to us in particular that racialized adolescents are victims of about five racist attacks a week. African Americans earn on average half of their white peers, and of the 500 largest companies in the United States, only three are run by people of color.

Promote Black children’s scientific appetite

The story went around the world, as it illustrates the stereotypes faced by racialized people. At the end of January, the prestigious Yale University organized a ceremony in honor of Bobbi Wilson to reward her for her contribution. The 27 lanterns captured by the little girl have since become part of the university museum, placed in a frame that bears her name. It is the first time that an establishment of this stature has rewarded the work of a child. With this initiative, Yale wanted to send a strong message against racist prejudices and preventions that compromise the access of racialized people to many disciplines.

The nine-year-old was invited to spend a day at Yale and share her interest in insects. The university wanted to encourage this student’s appetite, and with it the curiosity and perseverance of all science-loving children, despite his skin color and the hostile reactions he provokes in spite of them.