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Black Girls Code launching in Miami

miamiherald.com

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Re: Black Girls Code launching in Miami

#91

Post by thinkpad20 »

crazygringo wrote: post #30

It's clear that the goals are extremely laudable -- to help a disadvantaged group gain experience. But this indeed asks the question, which as far as I can tell is completely unaddressed on their website: why create a group that excludes others by sex and race? How do they explain to a black 14-year-old that their group isn't going to help him ? Or a Hispanic 14-year-old girl? Or any 14-year-old whose parents are bel…

There's nothing wrong with helping one particular group, when that group needs it. Every charitable organization has to choose some particular problem to address, and by extension, choose NOT to address other problems. If they have too wide of a focus, then they risk losing effectiveness (particularly if their resources are small). By focusing on one distinct group, which is clearly underrepresented in the CS world, this group has a higher chance of success than one with a more vague "let's help everyone" mentality.

Re: Black Girls Code launching in Miami

#92

Post by chc »

Nerdfest wrote: post #89
chc wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I wasn't thinking about race Maybe you should just appreciate having that luxury rather than criticize those who do not have it.

It's not a luxury. It's free and everyone can do it. It would be nice if more people started.

When people come up to me in the middle of dinner and tell me I should not be with my fiancee due to our respective skin colors, it is pretty difficult even for me not to think about it sometimes. And I think I have a fairly sheltered position in society relative to your average young black girl.

Re: Black Girls Code launching in Miami

#93

Post by TallGuyShort »

tinco wrote: post #84
TallGuyShort wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Begging your pardon, I grew up in South Africa during apartheid and feel very much the same as the OP. I recognize that these groups have value for victims of racism and are done with good intentions. However, I also feel that if they are over-done or are started with more of a pride about one's (traditionally persecuted) race than the humble intention to serve others, they are only breeding animosity between races a…

I'm sorry if my opinion offended you. It's not that I feel yours is a terrible opinion to have, I believe Morgan Freeman shares it. I just think that positive energy put towards solving problems minorities are having can be a good thing. And that energy should not be tossed aside for the idealistic idea of ignoring racism to death. Also, I think it's wildly speculative that these efforts breed animosity. I would ask…

Your opinion did not offend me, but the phrase "It's easy to not think about racism when racism isn't an issue in your environment" strikes me as a No True Scotsman argument. "Think we should ignore race? You must not be around racists". My environment was world-famous for it's racists.

The only evidence I have to offer is purely anecdotal, but I've found with people I know who got involved with political activist groups in southern Africa just got more bitter and contentious on the subject the longer they were in those groups. I've had some Hispanic friends join cultural groups and then begin to focus more and more on the differences between themselves and the Americans around them. I've also noticed in some groups I've visited for South African ex-pats that people get together and just complain about all the things they miss about the culture they used to enjoy. I can think of a couple of groups I've seen (most notably, a polynesian dance group) where people genuinely just got together and had a good time celebrating the culture, and that was positive. But I think I've seen more negative results than positive ones.

Come to think of it, the polynesian dance group did a lot to invite non-polynesians to join in. It was a celebration of that culture, but it was very focused on including everyone - not just helping one group catch up to another.

Re: Black Girls Code launching in Miami

#94

Post by consonants »

tomasien wrote: post #39
consonants wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Threads like this provide a moment to gaze into the abyss

Oh my god this turned to shit before I even hit post on my comment. Amazing.

If this stayed on the frontpage we would be swimming in gold. Oh well, time to read them all and lose some faith in humanity

Re: Black Girls Code launching in Miami

#95

Post by vacri »

Karunamon wrote: post #87
vacri wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You and the reference comment are engaging in dog-whistle politics, where you make 'innocent' comments that you are well-aware is a coded call to like-minded people to band together. Characterising the comments as 'innocent' is a hallmark of such things. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog-whistle_politics And seriously, how can a comment like the parent, who is explicitly aware of the expected response, be classified a…

You and the reference comment are engaging in dog-whistle politics Aaaand now you've stooped to insults. We're done here, and so is the thread.

Out of curiosity, why do you not consider your accusing me of 'rabidly attacking' the seed comment as being an insult?

Re: Black Girls Code launching in Miami

#96

Post by [deleted] »

crazygringo wrote: post #30

It's clear that the goals are extremely laudable -- to help a disadvantaged group gain experience. But this indeed asks the question, which as far as I can tell is completely unaddressed on their website: why create a group that excludes others by sex and race? How do they explain to a black 14-year-old that their group isn't going to help him ? Or a Hispanic 14-year-old girl? Or any 14-year-old whose parents are bel…

[deleted]

Re: Black Girls Code launching in Miami

#97

Post by sn »

One of my friends very young girls are black. My friend is raising them to be geeks and the girls are unhappy about how few super heroes look like them. Without programs like this, presumably their distress will extend to other areas as they grow older. Kudos to Kimberly for starting this.

Re: Black Girls Code launching in Miami

#98

Post by Karunamon »

vacri wrote: post #95
Karunamon wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You and the reference comment are engaging in dog-whistle politics Aaaand now you've stooped to insults. We're done here, and so is the thread.

Out of curiosity, why do you not consider your accusing me of 'rabidly attacking' the seed comment as being an insult?

Calling an attack an attack is not an insult.
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