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Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

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Re: Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

#11

Post by jedberg »

throwa34567 wrote: post #6

I'm very happy to see this. I grew up in a town that, before I was born, decided to actively integrate (from being an historically all white, wealthy suburb) and I'm certain I'm better off for growing up in a diverse community. I'm in mountain view now and it's all "silicon valley white", and something actively needs to be done. I worry when I realize my kid can go a week or more without seeing a black person, and I'…

> silicon valley white

Interesting term. Does that basically mean Asian (both eastern and southeastern) and White?

Re: Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

#12

Post by throwa34567 »

jedberg wrote: post #11
throwa34567 wrote: post #6

I'm very happy to see this. I grew up in a town that, before I was born, decided to actively integrate (from being an historically all white, wealthy suburb) and I'm certain I'm better off for growing up in a diverse community. I'm in mountain view now and it's all "silicon valley white", and something actively needs to be done. I worry when I realize my kid can go a week or more without seeing a black person, and I'…

> silicon valley white Interesting term. Does that basically mean Asian (both eastern and southeastern) and White?

Yeah, I don't know how common the phrase is, but that's what I and the other folks I know who say it basically mean.

Re: Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

#13

Post by Blackthorn »

_m8fo wrote: post #10
Blackthorn wrote: post #8

Nobody's really worried about competent students not being able to perform.

I'm not really sure what your point is.

Well, you said this:

> However, if for whatever reason those students fail to perform, in the eyes of the non black colleagues, stereotypes of incompetence will be created, if not exacerbated.

It's not really a concern. Nobody's worried about competent students underperforming.

Re: Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

#14

Post by perfmode »

_m8fo wrote: post #7
gk1 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When a positive outcome is almost certain, there's less need for fine measurements. For example, how much effort is it worth to determine whether tech job placement for Howard University students goes up by 2x or exactly 2.15x?

I disagree that a positive outcome is almost certain. What's happening here is effectively Affirmative Action, and that's hardly a positive outcome in everyone's eyes. For example, Google could just simply give internships to those at HBCU's, an action one may see as definitely positive. However, if for whatever reason those students fail to perform, in the eyes of the non black colleagues, stereotypes of incompetenc…

> For example, Google could just simply give internships to those at HBCU's, an action one may see as definitely positive.

This is a straw man. Google isn't doing that. Google and Howard are providing instruction.

Re: Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

#15

Post by harryjo »

perfmode wrote: post #14
_m8fo wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree that a positive outcome is almost certain. What's happening here is effectively Affirmative Action, and that's hardly a positive outcome in everyone's eyes. For example, Google could just simply give internships to those at HBCU's, an action one may see as definitely positive. However, if for whatever reason those students fail to perform, in the eyes of the non black colleagues, stereotypes of incompetenc…

> For example, Google could just simply give internships to those at HBCU's, an action one may see as definitely positive. This is a straw man. Google isn't doing that. Google and Howard are providing instruction.

Google is doing that (not exactly for HBCUs, but for underrepresented subpopulations) https://www.google.com/about/careers/students/engres.html

Re: Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

#16

Post by harryjo »

komaromy wrote: post #2

Good. I hope they're looking into a pipeline that reaches these students before they're junior- or senior-aged as well.

http://www.gettingsmart.com/2011/03/jordan-lloyd-bookey-k-12...

Examples of Google’s programs include:

● Google’s Computing and Programming Experience (CAPE): This four-week experience is for 8th graders to gain exposure to CS. This summer we will have around 130 students, and we hope to further expand this content to organizations and schools around the country. We are looking to test this new model with MS2 in Washington, DC this summer.

● LEAD Program for Computer Science: This is a rigorous and exciting summer residential program for underrepresented minority students in grades 9-11, held at four universities in its upcoming inaugural year..

● Trailblazer Award: This is an award (in Europe) that is given internationally for participation in national science fairs. Winners are all treated to a 2-day Trailblazer retreat with fellow winners to learn more about the possibilities of a career in CS.

● Counselors for Computing: This program trains counselors to teach their fellow guidance counselors the benefits of CS degrees. Through our partner members at NCWIT, we are hoping to scale impact through these critical influencers.

● CS4HS is an initiative sponsored by Google to promote CS and Computational Thinking in high school and middle school curriculum by hosting CS teachers at campuses worldwide to learn about leading edge practice in the field.

● Computer Science Teachers Association: We are an ongoing supporter of the CSTA and, in particular, recently hosted their CS&IT symposium for 200 CS teachers at our Mountain View campus.

Re: Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

#17

Post by differentView »

throwa34567 wrote: post #12
jedberg wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> silicon valley white Interesting term. Does that basically mean Asian (both eastern and southeastern) and White?

Yeah, I don't know how common the phrase is, but that's what I and the other folks I know who say it basically mean.

Does the term exclude all non-whites/Asians, regardless of upbringing, education, and background?

Re: Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

#18

Post by _m8fo »

Blackthorn wrote: post #13
_m8fo wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not really sure what your point is.

Well, you said this: > However, if for whatever reason those students fail to perform, in the eyes of the non black colleagues, stereotypes of incompetence will be created, if not exacerbated. It's not really a concern. Nobody's worried about competent students underperforming.

I really must be missing something. You even said it yourself:

"Nobody's worried about competent students underperforming."

I didn't say this, nor did you... so who are you replying to? Unless you assume all black students will be competent or somehow black students don't have regular instances of incompetence like their white, asian and hispanic peers?

Re: Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

#19

Post by adamsea »

_m8fo wrote: post #3

One thing I struggle with is measurement of progress. For example, what Google is allowing here with Howard U is obviously good for the AA community. However, is Google in general doing things that are good or bad for AAs in general? It's difficult to say. Excessive advertising can be used to poor people's disadvantage by creating more debt by encouraging more unnecessary expenses. AAs consist of a disproportionally…

You kind of touch upon the question of an incrementalist approach to social change, which works within a flawed system versus a more radical approach, which says "the system is radically flawed, we must change it drastically."

"The system" here being, imho, the role advertising plays in our society.

Re: Howard University opens a new campus at the Googleplex

#20

Post by xienze »

throwa34567 wrote: post #6

I'm very happy to see this. I grew up in a town that, before I was born, decided to actively integrate (from being an historically all white, wealthy suburb) and I'm certain I'm better off for growing up in a diverse community. I'm in mountain view now and it's all "silicon valley white", and something actively needs to be done. I worry when I realize my kid can go a week or more without seeing a black person, and I'…

So, let's say you were born in China. Would you have a similar level of anxiety about never seeing anyone outside of your ethnic group? I find it very odd how white people are seemingly the only ethnic group so hung up on seeing people of different races one day-to-day basis.

On a related note, if being around so many white people bothers you so much, why aren't you living in, say, East Palo Alto or Richmond?

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