DISQUS

Here. Here.

I've sounded off on similar topics on my blog. I was particularly hostile last year. I would like to attend, but can't. SO you go represent for all of us. Check out my post about the conference: http://sciedsociety.blogspot.com/2008/12/scienc.... Be sure to read the comments, too. Other posts of mine that deal with racial diversity in STEM are below:

Start with this one: http://sciedsociety.blogspot.com/2007/05/attrac...
http://sciedsociety.blogspot.com/2007/04/minori...
http://sciedsociety.blogspot.com/2008/12/nsf-aa...
http://sciedsociety.blogspot.com/2008/10/lack-o...
http://sciedsociety.blogspot.com/2008/04/fear-o...
http://sciedsociety.blogspot.com/2007/12/black-...
http://sciedsociety.blogspot.com/2007/05/why-pe...

It's a lot, but I hope it adds to the much needed conversation.

Here! Here! I agree. Earlier this year, I posted about Black History Month on Scienceblog.com. I can't tell you how many trolls gave me a hard time about the "Black" thing. It is wrong? Why am I hung up on it? Get over the Black thing, there is no color. I later posted about Women's History Month and Latino Heritage Month. Crickets. No objections at all. These selective attacks against Black-identity and not against any other group have always bothered me. In college some students objected against Black Student Organization, because there is no White student organization, but had no problem with the Asian/Chinese/International/Ethitopian/etc student organization.

Your comments about the so-called post-racial desire is dead on. Thanks!

thanks for the run down, the question was regarding the DonorsChoose campagn - that pale blue box just to the right of the comments here. ---> You'll notice the score card reads $0 dollars raised.

I'm curious about it, that's all. Did you notice it? I also think you give part of the answer. The focus for findraising has been campaign contributions, perhaps this other fundraiser just hasn't made it to the top of the marquee yet.

Happy Anniversary.

This is a great post Frederic. I feel the same way. Though American poor is better off than developing nation poor, it is no reason to pretend like poverty and hunger and desperation does not exist in this so-called land of plenty...plenty of hardship to go around.

Keep up the great work.

Hip-hop is ubiquitous.

I agree with D. They cannot be held accountable for what their supporters say. Should we hold Obama accountable for the inappropriate remarks Ludacrise made on his record? I think not.

BUT, you are right about McCain-Palin's lack of response and reprimand to their supporters when they publicly say those nasty things. They are coming off as non-chalant and not shutting those folks down is sending a bad message.

I saw Jack's posting on facebook book of a man calling Obama a Terrorist in front of McCain & McCain saying nothing. Looking at that video it seems like McCain didn't really register what the guy said. it was a bit muddled and the crowd was already lound and rowdy. I wager McCain either didn't hear it or registered it late. Either way, I don't want a leader who comes off as letting things like that slide.

This satirist is the best. I 1st learned about her at PostBourgie

would you be interested in participating in DonorsChoose?
http://www.donorschoose.org/homepage/main.html?zone=0

I could use an icon/image.

Great work. I enjoy it.

you are so right - about many conservative having no 'real' reason or incentive to be or the greater likelihood of future hardships, even when you do work hard and do the right thing most of the time -- that is just not fair.

most people like the idea of communities working together, pulling in the riegns, helping each other through harships and good times. this sounds pretty nice, right? but when someone recommends a formal community-work philosophy - then people get nervous and call it socialism. it is, a little bit. most churches and community organizations have very socialist values. and why is that necessarily a bad thing?

I noticed nea shut it up after the challenge to produce some stats on Obama and Education.

And to the other question, why do kids need to know about STIs at age 5? They don't the wording says age-approprite sex ed, but included topics of STIs. It's a little grammar rule where you create an umbrella, so nothing important is deliberated excluded can can't be brought up, but you can still customize the material you present.

here! here!

Congrats!!!

congrats. I nominated the site in different categories, but, yeah the public is right about this one, too. This is a good business/professional development site.

Good luck.

I don't like the images...but I must admit, this is the kind of thing The New Yorker does all of the time...I didn't think they were picking on the Obamas...With that in mind, I'd say they are being fair, even if I don't like the image. So no protests from me.

I don't read The New Yorker, but I am intrigued. I'll go to the bookstore and check it out.

I made a few more comments on my blog and I did a break down of the orginal research. Also, Cobb has some interesting points (as well as his commenters) on this same subject.

Hold up a minute Tahani. Let's not beat up the doctor for his works.

1. This may all be old hat to you and most people, simply knowing or agreeing that something seems real isn't good enough to get the problem addressed. It is an academic bias that things need to be proven before setting off. Maybe that's the cultural difference - many people of color say "hey I knew that, I didn't need some expert to prove it me". But like Frederic says, when the ruling class makes the rules, we have to roll with it. In policy decisions, no one is going to address an issue that hasn't been demostrated as real. This paper does that. The good news, we all agree that the elephant is in the room. For far too long we've been looked at like we're crazy for pointing out the obvious because others didn't see it (or want to see it). Now, all of those diversity HR people can justify spending money to address this issue.


2. What's worthy research. I find it interesting how lay people balk at research studies they think are riduculous or a waste of time. But the truth is - academic research is conducted on an individual basis. Unlike most other industries, it is NOT markert driven. Researchers, like myself, study questions that are interesting to them. We don't receive orders from someone who says - "Study this, because a board or poll said we need this answer". There'll alays be something other people think is more interesting or worthy. And I don't think it was a waste of time.

One of the biggest barriers I've noticed many black or poor kids have when at college or interacting with field experts is the assumption that everything we think we know is a firm fact. In fact, there are many more questions, assumptions, and caveats. Vetting and dissecting is a very normal and standard practice in science (natural, physical, & social). As annoying as it may be for most people, it is this seeminging un-ending question asking and examining that helps us fully understand a problem. Application and theory go hand-in-hand, though not usually the same hands.

Yes! and I've been asking a related question - Where are the Black Science Bloggers?

I even posted a critigue about the lack of "subject diversity" among Black blogs.

http://sciedsociety.blogspot.com/2007/12/black-...

You should also check out a blog/meme about a related topic Middle Class Priviledge.
http://educationandclass.com/2008/05/16/middle-...

Your posting and BB's comments really do fit within a larger context of Class Discussions that should also be had.

It's worth checking out.

I concur with the sentiments. That's why it broke my heart today that Edwards hung up his hat. I feel hopeful that the leftovers will take the causes he champions seriously (fingers crossed).

No doubt losing the home state is the reason he bowed out.

he is SO right. but it is very hard to convince people that being black does NOT mean being from the hood, growing up poor, being on welfare, not knowing your father, hustling to survive, etc.

this is even harder for most black people to understand. generalizations can be evil. it closes us off to new or even clarifying information, relieves us fromt he responsibility of being observant and discerning.

It's usually contextual. But in my head I identify by my profession first, then gender, then racially. But when surrounded by others of the same profession, I identify racially first, then by gender. When surrounded by a group of ybp I identify professionally first, then by gender.

Now that I think about it...the order in which I identify myself is usually in a way that makes it clear to others that I distingush myself from everyone else.

Hmm, what does that say about me -- I like to stand apart??

This Rocks! I love it.