From: brian@quake.sylmar.ca.us (Brian K. Yoder)
Subject: Racist/Sexist Role Models
Organization: Quake Public Access
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 04:14:30 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.222410.16897@nhgs.vak12ed.edu> pgolden@nhgs.vak12ed.edu (Patrick S. Golden) writes:
>I'm sorry you find this "racist". It is certainly not our
>intent to foster that attitude, but, rather, to present all
>students with role models for them to emulate.

But that is exactly my point.  On what basis are you suggesting that the
students emulate these people or respect them?  If you said "Look at this
person, he is intelligent, productive, and interesting.  He's having a great
time doing his job.  You should try to be like him because of that."  You 
wouldn't be sending a racist message.  On the other hand, you can say "This
person is of your race/sex, and therefore you ought to try to emulate him."
that is a racist/sexist premise.  Racism is not "White males oppressing
minorities and women." (although it is a species of racism).  Racism is 
acting as though race makes a difference where it does not.  You are doing
exactly that...and in the name of anti-racism.

You should consider more than your intent, which is probably not bad, but
look at the implicit message you are sending to these kids.  You are saying
"Only if people of your race/sex/whatever have done X can you be expected to be
able or interested in X.".  Remember too, that if you successfully teach that
lesson, what about people who actually are from a background of ignorance 
poverty and barbarism?  Are they to think that they don't deserve to be
intelligent, civilized and successful?  Pointing out someone's race in regard
to motivation for attempting some accomplishment is based on exactly the
same false premise as the more blatant forms of racism.

>Our broadcasts feature primarily females and underrepresented
>minority students because studies show that these students may
>be especially sensitive to the support and example of other
>successful students.

Rather than trying to teach them the (often untrue) lesson that "Lots of 
women and minorities do X, therefore you should want to as well.", why not
teach the simpler and best of all true lesson that "Race and sex don't matter
in your ability or interest.  If you are interested in becomin a chemist,
your race and sex are of zero importance, except to racists."

>Perhaps you should read the 1990 RAND Corp. report, "Lost
>Talent:  The Underparticipation of Women, Minorities and
>Disabled Persons in Science" by Jeannie Oakes.

What new things do you think I would learn?  That there are more white
males in these professions than in the general population?  That's no 
surprise.  My point is that instilling racist premises in the minds of
students in school is exactly the opposite of what is needed to eliminate
racism in society.

>I think you will find that in our culture race and sex have
>made a difference in the ability of certain groups achieving.
>Perhaps you mean our culture is racist.  If so, I would agree.

I think that there are racist ideas afoot in the culture.  I also think
that some portion of those racist ideas are in the form you are pushing.
(There are also the conventional David Duke-style racists, and the Louis
Farakahn-style racists as well.).  My point is that you are teaching students
a racist lesson my telling them that racial role models are important.

>Our Consortium, in addition to the broadcast refered to in the
>original post, sponsors scholarships and fellowships for
>students at five Virginia schools. (Similar consortia exist in
>every other state, D.C. and Puerto Rico) Last year our awards
>included 56% made to students who were female or traditionally
>underrepresented minority members.  If we're racist, were
>spending our money in the wrong place.

There is another perfect example of racism.  You chose those people not on
the basis of their intelligence or aptitude, but on the basis of their
sex and race.  That IS racism/sexism every bit as much as if you had
special scholarships for white males only.  The racist/sexist premise that
people ought to be treated differntly based on their sex/race rather than
as an individual with unique abilities and interests is wrong no matter 
who the beneficiary happens to be.

--Brian
Xref: sparky misc.education:4379 sci.astro:12152 sci.bio:4164 sci.chem:4687 sci.math:15179 sci.physics:19166