✍️ Harvard Uncovers Deep Roots in Slavery – Then Fires the Researcher Who Found Them
Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1913. Photograph: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Hey everyone, Today I want to talk about something that honestly shocked me—and probably will surprise you too.
While doing my usual reading, I came across this story about Harvard University’s connection to slavery, and I couldn’t believe what I found. The university had launched a project to explore its historical ties to slavery… but when the researcher found more than 900 enslaved people linked to Harvard, and 500 living descendants, they fired him.
Yep, fired. Why? Because the numbers were “too high.” It made me pause and think: how far are some institutions really willing to go when it comes to confronting their past?
The Researcher Who Dug Too Deep
The man behind the findings, Richard Cellini, was leading Harvard’s “Legacy of Slavery” initiative. His job was to uncover and document the university’s ties to slavery. But when his team’s work revealed a lot more than expected, things took a turn. According to reports, Harvard’s administration started applying pressure—not to keep digging—but to stop. And eventually, they cut him and his entire team loose.
That part really stings. Isn’t the whole point of research to uncover the truth, no matter how uncomfortable?
Photographs of enslaved people in the US, possibly the oldest known in the country, were discovered in the basement of a Harvard University museum in 1977. Photograph: Bettmann Archive Take from theguardian.com/
So… What Happens Now?
The project has now been outsourced to another organization. But from what I read, the work isn’t being done with the same transparency. I think it’s important that universities don’t just acknowledge history when it’s convenient. These findings matter, especially for the descendants of the people who were enslaved.
Why This Matters to All of Us
This isn’t just about Harvard. A lot of prestigious institutions—around the world—have similar histories. And this shows us the tension between truth and reputation. If even a world-class university struggles with being honest about its past, what does that say about accountability elsewhere?
For me, it’s a reminder that education isn’t just about the future—it’s also about owning the past.
Let me know what you think. Should universities do more to recognize and support the descendants of those affected by their history?
Stay informed, – BrightmindAI
Gallery of the report:
The grave of Cicely, a 15-year-old ‘Negro servant’ of the Rev William Brattle, a treasurer at Harvard College, at the Old Burying Ground just outside Harvard Yard on 27 April 2022, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Photograph: Charles Krupa/AP
🎓 TV Dramas Misinform Students: OECD Study Reveals Reality Gap in Career Aspirations
A new OECD survey of 690,000 15‑year‑olds across 81 countries shows a concerning trend: 1 in 5 teenagers aspire to careers requiring university degrees—like doctors or lawyers—without planning to actually attend university heraldsun.com.au.
📺 Why This Matters:
Popular TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and Law & Order glamorize elite professions, leading students—especially from disadvantaged backgrounds—to hold unrealistic job dreams.
Among disadvantaged teens, nearly one-third are affected, compared to fewer than 1 in 10 from affluent backgrounds heraldsun.com.au.
Although career interests have broadened over two decades, 39% of students are still undecided at age 15.
💡 What This Tells Us:
Schools need better career guidance programs, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Parents and educators must help teens align their ambitions with education plans and realistic pathways.
Highlight real stories of professionals and various career options beyond university-only roles.
🎯 How AI Helped Land a Dream Job—And How You Can Too
A compelling Business Insider story highlighted how AI isn’t just disrupting careers—it’s helping build them. Mark Quinn, now Senior Director of AI Operations at Pearl (with a track record at Waymo, Apple, LinkedIn), was struggling in his job hunt—until he created CareerBuddy GPT, a personalized AI guide. fortune.com+7businessinsider.com+7instagram.com+7theguardian.com+6niemanlab.org+6businessinsider.com+6
🚀 Here’s What CareerBuddy Did:
Matched Quinn’s resume to ideal roles.
Rewrote his CV and crafted tailored cover letters.
Simulated interviews and advised expanded outreach.
Unearthed roles he’d dismissed—leading him to apply and land the Pearl position.
💡 Why It Matters to You:
Tired of random job searches? AI can bring strategy and precision.
Struggling with applications? AI tools can optimize your documents.
Missing roles because of bias? AI can suggest less obvious—but great-fit—opportunities.
🔧 How to Use AI for Your Job Search:
Build your own AI assistant with tools like GPT, or try platforms offering resume optimization, mock interviews, or job alignment AI.
Share your job specs, resume, and career goals—AI can personalize next steps.
Adopt a 5‑month guided approach—like Quinn, you might land your dream job.
“Use AI or else” — this is the message from major CEOs and industry leaders today. Amazon’s Andy Jassy, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Anthropic’s Dario Amodei, and Salesforce’s Marc Benioff all agree: workers who don’t learn AI tools risk being left behind businessinsider.com+6businessinsider.com+6itpro.com+6.
Andy Jassy highlighted that broader AI adoption will reshape staffing—some roles might disappear, but new ones will emerge around AI development and deployment.
Sam Altman shared that AI agents are already matching the productivity of junior employees.
Dario Amodei warns that AI may eliminate up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs in the next few years.
Marc Benioff emphasized that leaders of the future will manage both humans and AI agents, reducing the need for traditional engineering roles.
🔍 Why This Matters:
For workers & students: In the coming years, proficiency in AI tools could be as vital as basic computer skills today.
For professionals & leaders: Embrace AI training and build AI-integrated teams to stay competitive.
For career changers: Position yourself in roles that require AI fluency—such as AI trainers, operators, or ethics auditors.
🛠️ AI Is Helping, Not Replacing Engineers—For Now, Says OpenAI Veteran
🔷 “Vibe coding won’t replace engineers” — Bob McGrew, former Chief Research Officer at OpenAI, clarified on a recent podcast that while AI is increasingly generating code, professional developers remain essential for robust, sustainable software. businessinsider.com+1businessinsider.com+1
McGrew emphasized that AI-driven coding tools, such as “vibe coding” agents, are useful for rapid prototyping but often produce opaque code that lacks maintainability.
He stressed the enduring necessity of human judgment to interpret, refactor, and debug AI-generated code.
Tools like Cursor and AI agents like Devin will aid engineers—but won’t make them obsolete anytime soon.
💼 Meanwhile, over 25% of new code at Google is now generated by AI. A significant number of startups (like those in YC Winter ’25) rely on AI for nearly 95% of coding tasks. Even so, McGrew sources warn that AI-written code still carries liabilities. businessinsider.com
📍 Why This Matters
For Coders & Dev Students – AI is reshaping workflows, not careers. Now is the time to level up with AI tools, not panic.
For Tech Leaders & CTOs – Implement AI thoughtfully. Ensure code maintainability and engineer oversight remain priorities.
For Learners & Career Changers – Focus on gaining AI-enhanced coding skills and understanding how to manage AI-generated systems effectively.
UK Moves to “War‑Fighting Readiness” with £15 bn Submarine Upgrade
In a bold move today (2 June 2025), UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared a new era of defense strategy, announcing that Britain will transition into a state of “war-fighting readiness.” This includes a staggering £15 billion investment to build 12 new advanced attack submarines and modernize the country’s nuclear warhead systems.
🔍 Why This Matters
This isn’t just about building submarines—it’s a strategic shift in national defense policy. The UK is joining a growing list of nations reinforcing their military capabilities in response to global threats like the Russia–Ukraine conflict and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
🔧 Key Highlights:
Strategic Defence Review ordered to reassess UK military posture.
Plans for 12 new state-of-the-art submarines to replace aging Astute-class subs.
Modernization of the nuclear deterrent program (Trident warheads).
Emphasis on underwater stealth, cybersecurity, and AI-driven targeting.
🌍 What It Means for You:
If you’re a defense industry professional, contractor, or engineer – this means opportunities.
For students or scholars, it’s a hot topic in global politics and defense studies.
Investors may eye UK defense suppliers and AI-defense tech startups.
