Recently I visited the nation's capitol to attend a symposium on the lack of Minority Males in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The symposium was awesome. After the event, on our way to dinner I became involved in a conversation with a old friend regarding the need for such a symposium. My friend wanted my thoughts on why I thought this was a problem. He wanted to know if I thought this was an issue with the system or if it was an issue with Black people. His question was more focused on Blacks since we are both Black. I want to be clear that I am not diminishing the underrepresentation of other groups that were a part of the discussion of the symposium.
While I am less concerned with who is at fault and more concerned with providing a solution I do understand that it is critical to fully understand a problem before trying to provide solutions. The issue of the lack of Blacks and other "minorities" in STEM is a complex social issue. But let us be clear. It is not NEW. And Black folks are NOT at fault. It is very puzzling to me particularly when it comes to Black folks, that we tend to blame the victim. Why is that? Do we think Blacks do not want to take part in the economic boon that is happening in the country. Are we averse to the way the world is being led by 21st century technology? I was in the middle of trying to familiarize him with the historical factors that have contributed to this gap when he abruptly interrupted and ask the following question:
Do you think the problem is with the system or do you think the problem is with Black people?
The tone of his voice suggested he had already decided who was to blame. He went on to state. “The opportunity is out here and we are not taking advantage of it.” The fact that we are not taking advantage of opportunities that are abundant is not a point that I would argue. But when we get into the reasons as to why we are not taking advantage of these opportunities, ah there is the rub.
Let us ask that question. If there is an opportunity made available to me but I have been conditioned to BELIEVE it is not for me thus I do not pursue the opportunity am I to blame for my behavior? The same argument can be made for girls and math. In fact in can probably be made for all of the under represented groups as it relates to STEM.
Girls are conditioned to believe that “math is not for girls”. This happened in the past and it happens now. This social conditioning is a huge part of the problem and if we are not going to address the conditioning it does not matter how much money is allocated to purchase hardware or wire schools. There needs to be a change in mindset. A change in beliefs. The social conditioning must be removed and replaced with a more empowering mindset.
8 comments:
You have found the root cause of the problem."There needs to be a change in mindset. A change in beliefs. The social conditioning must be removed and replaced with a more empowering mindset." This has held back the Black community for over 50 years and why Detroit is in trouble, crime and poverty still an issue today.
Hi Cliff,
Thanks. We are certainly on the same page. In fact, I am shifting my work to do more in this area. Changing the mindset is more important than teaching the technology. Obviously we need both. But working on our belief system is key. I am with you!
Kai I have always said that an opportunity is only as good as the person who can take advantage of it. There is a library in every community but not everyone is reading at s high level. The opportunity is there but not everyone is taking advantage of it. Visibility is the key. controlling our own images is the key. I am going to be launching something soon to help us in that area.,
I agree. But there are also cases where these opportunities are visible and we are still not 'seeing' them as opportunities that are for us or that we are suited for. That is more what I am getting at. I am looking forward to what you are working on to help us to improve those opportunities that are not visible.
That was my point. What good is this opportunity if we aren't viewing it as one, in the case of the library analogy, it's just another building. Why aren't we viewing it as one? I think it's a visibility and image problem which feeds into the mindset issue.
ah I get you and I agree. This is a simple task but not an easy one. I TRULY believe that this is the work that needs to be done in our communities and we need to bring all resources to bear specifically technology. At least I intend to use technology to approach this issue.
There is much work that addresses the very causes that you have presented backed up by research and a body of work that contains solutions. Visit www.reducingstereotypethreat.org for a comprehensive look at this challenge
Hi Surfstation,
Yes I am aware. I am contributing to said research at the moment. Thanks for reading and thanks for the link.
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