Live data from Hacker News

BlackGirlsCode Raises $21,000 To Fund Summer Of Code Program

techli.com

1–10 of 166 posts

Re: BlackGirlsCode Raises $21,000 To Fund Summer Of Code Program

#3
post #2

I like the idea of the program, but specifically "Black girls"...

Why not? This is one of the hardest hit economic demographics in the country. I don't think targeting it to be specifically for them is bad; in fact I think it is probably best. This demographics tends to get lost in the "need more women in tech" crowd.

Re: BlackGirlsCode Raises $21,000 To Fund Summer Of Code Program

#4
What I love about this initiative is it solves several problems at once, and builds a foundation for related groups (women in general, and black people in general) to gravitate to this field. They'll naturally find people similar to them and make it easier to relate to their peers.

Re: BlackGirlsCode Raises $21,000 To Fund Summer Of Code Program

#5
post #2

I like the idea of the program, but specifically "Black girls"...

Why not? This is one of the hardest hit economic demographics in the country. I don't think targeting it to be specifically for them is bad; in fact I think it is probably best. This demographics tends to get lost in the "need more women in tech" crowd.

Unless they edited the post, it sounded to me that dusing agrees and likes the idea of it being that specific demographic.

Re: BlackGirlsCode Raises $21,000 To Fund Summer Of Code Program

#6
I've been following this program for a while and even got to meet Kimberly at O'Reilly Fluent earlier in the year.. her enthusiasm is infectious! As important as her work is to the girls, though, I particularly hope she inspires other adults to take on this mentoring role so that everywhere can have its equivalent.

Things like this are springing up all over. For example, here in the UK, Code Club has been founded by two women to create and support after-school programming clubs: http://codeclub.org.uk/

Re: BlackGirlsCode Raises $21,000 To Fund Summer Of Code Program

#8

What I love about this initiative is it solves several problems at once, and builds a foundation for related groups (women in general, and black people in general) to gravitate to this field. They'll naturally find people similar to them and make it easier to relate to their peers.

"They'll naturally find people similar to them and make it easier to relate to their peers."

Relatability is the key thing. You're spot on here.

Re: BlackGirlsCode Raises $21,000 To Fund Summer Of Code Program

#10
post #2

I like the idea of the program, but specifically "Black girls"...

The goal of these types of programs is to change cultures. If under-representation isn't caused by biology, then it's caused by culture. If the programs didn't target people within the cultures they're trying to change, they wouldn't succeed. They'd be full of the people who are already likely to be interested in programming, which isn't a problem in itself, but isn't the goal of the programs.
Post reply on HN