phonetictalk (8/28/2013)
djackson 22568 (8/28/2013)
First, groups that support a single gender, race or ethnicity are just as bad when it comes to continuing prejudice, and for those people who are ignorant enough to spout the BS you referenced, those groups only further the prejudice by making those people think the group is getting special treatment BECAUSE they aren't qualified!Please, no more special groups!
There's been a few statements in the comments section denigrating subgroups like Women in Technology and suggesting their mere existence perpetuates stereotypes.
I strongly disagree.
On the day that I became a citizen of the USA, the judge specifically said that being American doesn't mean that I shouldn't celebrate where I was born and the culture I was raised in.
I think the same logic applies here. Being "assimilated" into the wider community doesn't mean giving up or ignoring the fact that you're a woman (or a black man or a Chinese woman). We don't have to hide our differences entirely and pretend we are all one and the same in order to eliminate prejudice and stereotypes. We can celebrate our differences (which can include being members of subgroups) whilst still being respected in the wider community.
I heartily support the Women in Technology group.
If you read the entire response I posted you would not say I was denigrating anything other than the idiots who think that women aren't as good as men in technology. What I was saying is that there are people who view groups like Women in Technology as proof that the group is incompetent. They think "if they were competent they wouldn't need a group". I don't agree with them, in fact I strongly DISAGREE with them, but I do believe it would be best to not give them excuses to support their prejudice.
I am not going to get into a debate on these groups. I respect that you heartily support the group suggestion. The reasons you mentioned are of course good reasons for starting a group like this. I have absolutely zero disagreement with your reasons. Period.
I will say that here in America only some "special people" are allowed to have groups, and others are outlawed. That is a double standard that generates racism, sexism and other prejudice. If someone wanted to start a Men in Technology group, the outcry would be ridiculous. The double standard is what causes problems.
I will also say again, like I did in the original post, that we need to accept that we are all different, and we need to celebrate those differences. Diffferences are what make us strong as a culture, race, species, whatever term you want to use. Ignoring those differences and pretending they don't exist is where a lot of problems stem from.
Dave