SJW-ism Takes Aim at STEM

[Revoltingest]

But, was it intentional though? Did they put in the effort to try and diversify it and just have a poor turnout, or was it more geared towards that?

It's just a funny picture with that caption because of the racial, gender & ethnic uniformity. They might very well be exemplary in working towards their objectives, & be so uniform only because it's who they are at this point in time....something which might change later.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

But, was it intentional though? Did they put in the effort to try and diversify it and just have a poor turnout, or was it more geared towards that?

Oh I don't think it's at all intentional. It happens a lot when people are completely and willfully blind to their privileges and refuse to make extra efforts in creating a safe, open, inclusive, and intersectional space.

Like I said, it sometimes happens in our feminist group too...until we reassess what's going on when there's all cis men sitting at the table talking about what's best for trans women of color.

Hence the irony, hilarity, and frustration all wrapped up in one package. If their goal is diversity as a task force, something is not going quite right.

 

[LuisDantas]

Then, could you please demonstrate how these are just slightly exaggerated:

1.) Elon Musk's desire to colonize Mars is based on white colonialism and white male privilege.

There are other factors, of course. But the pattern of expansionism and hubris is self-evident.

2.) Black scientists know more than many white scientists.

A hurried generalization, of course. But much like women, ethnic minorities often do end up having to work harder to attain their acknowledgement.

3.) Time is a construct of cis white patriarchy.

I can't parse that, so no comment.

 

[Apex]

There are other factors, of course. But the pattern of expansionism and hubris is self-evident.

I would appreciate it if you explained this pattern to those of us who do not see it as self-evident.

A hurried generalization, of course. But much like women, ethnic minorities often do end up having to work harder to attain their acknowledgement.

Being acknowledged for something is not the same as being more knowledgeable. This person claimed they were more knowledgeable than other scientists based on nothing more than the color of their skin.

I can't parse that, so no comment.

I can parse it. It means time was made up by straight white guys.
Exaggeration?

 

[Apex]

Oh I don't think it's at all intentional. It happens a lot when people are completely and willfully blind to their privileges and refuse to make extra efforts in creating a safe, open, inclusive, and intersectional space.

Like I said, it sometimes happens in our feminist group too...until we reassess what's going on when there's all cis men sitting at the table talking about what's best for trans women of color.

Hence the irony, hilarity, and frustration all wrapped up in one package. If their goal is diversity as a task force, something is not going quite right.

Is there a difference between not creating a "safe, open, inclusive and intersectional" space and just not getting people of whatever minority group to show up due to some other reason (such as lack of interest)?

Also, what is an acceptable number of minorities for an interest group? How is it measured?

 

[LuisDantas]

I would appreciate it if you explained this pattern to those of us who do not see it as self-evident.

Manifest Destiny in a nutshell is the idea that the world is better off if it indulges one's delusions of grandeur.

White Man's Burden in a nutshell is the idea that other people should know their place and accept one as their betters and benevolent leaders. Even if it means having to kill them left and right for their own good.

Dreams of colonizing Mars are a result of denial of basic economic and technical realities (which make it just about impossible) and some curious lack of interest in realizing why exactly Earth is not going to sustain humanity forever. As it turns out, it is mainly because at every single turn we have failed to seek sustainable societies.

Being acknowledged for something is not the same as being more knowledgeable. This person claimed they were more knowledgeable than other scientists based on nothing more than the color of their skin.

You are right, of course. All the same, there is something to be said about success in an environment that is predisposed to dismiss your efforts.

I can parse it. It means time was made up by straight white guys.
Exaggeration?

Straight nonsense, of course. Are you sure that is what he meant?

 

[Apex]

Manifest Destiny in a nutshell is the idea that the world is better off if it indulges one's delusions of grandeur.

White Man's Burden in a nutshell is the idea that other people should know their place and accept one as their betters and benevolent leaders. Even if it means having to kill them left and right for their own good.

Dreams of colonizing Mars are a result of denial of basic economic and technical realities (which make it just about impossible) and some curious lack of interest in realizing why exactly Earth is not going to sustain humanity forever. As it turns out, it is mainly because at every single turn we have failed to seek sustainable societies.

None of that shows that Musk's desire to colonize Mars is based on white male privilege. Especially when you consider that he is using his own money generated by his own companies to further the effort.

You are right, of course. All the same, there is something to be said about success in an environment that is predisposed to dismiss your efforts.

And there is a term we have for making a judgment call based on the color of someones skin (as the person who made the tweet did). Its called racism.

Straight nonsense, of course. Are you sure that is what he meant?

It seems to be a pretty straight forward (albeit irrational if not bigoted) tweet.

 

[LuisDantas]

None of that shows that Musk's desire to colonize Mars is based on white male privilege.

Personally I find "hubris" a more proper description, but I don't think it is altogether unreasonable to suspect such a motivation.

Especially when you consider that he is using his own money generated by his own companies to further the effort.

Not seeing the relation, myself.

And there is a term we have for making a judgment call based on the color of someones skin (as the person who made the tweet did). Its called racism.

Correct.

It seems to be a pretty straight forward (albeit irrational if not bigoted) tweet.

I will take your word for that.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Is there a difference between not creating a "safe, open, inclusive and intersectional" space and just not getting people of whatever minority group to show up due to some other reason (such as lack of interest)?

As a woman, I can tell you there are spaces that feel distinctly like an "old boys club" that are not AT ALL safe, open, and inclusive for women's involvement. And there are spaces where men inhabit that don't feel like an "old boys club", and as a woman I DO feel like I'm part of the group where both men and women can genuinely co-operate. Usually, though, it's been carved out specifically by women and where I don't get the sense that I'm a Token Female in the room.

Also, what is an acceptable number of minorities for an interest group? How is it measured?

Typically, the best ways are to seek out intersectional spaces that are already highly diverse. As a part of the Black Lives Matter movement, I saw myself as part of groups initiated by white feminists that never reached out toward womanists or black feminists, and the result was a bunch of white women sitting at a table talking about what might be best for minority men and women in response to police brutality. Once I began seeking out groups initiated by black men and women and standing with them as an ally, the diversity was much more apparent when it came to addressing racial tensions in police brutality.

It's not like groups seek a quota or anything. It's the willingness to support minorities as they speak out on what is important to them. That takes the willingness to enter into their space and to stand with them as an ally, but one has to be really careful not to enter into a space ready to "correct" their perspectives. A successful intersectional space gives people who normally are not heard by the public their voices and gives them respect for their perspective.

 

[Apex]

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Going to Mars vital to future of U.S. - CNET