[Web4lib] Code4lib 2008 Minority Scholarship

[Andy Murdoch]

Although I am sure Mike's email was "written from the best of motives," frankly  I don't understand how anyone quoting the great Mr Shankly in his email can begrudge someone taking whatever advantage they can to get ahead. And frankly, why bother starting a potentially divisive thread the week before Christmas by tossing out a knee jerk statement like that? Do you really want to get into a discussion of economics and race? yeesh.


----- Message d'origine ----
De : Mike Taylor <mike at indexdata.com>
À : Jeremy Frumkin <jeremy.frumkin at oregonstate.edu>
Cc : "web4lib at webjunction.org" <web4lib at webjunction.org>
Envoyé le : Mardi, 18 Décembre 2007, 5h40mn 53s
Objet : [Web4lib] Code4lib 2008 Minority Scholarship

Jeremy Frumkin writes:
> The Oregon State University / Code4lib Minority Scholarship will
> provide up to $1000 to cover travel costs and conference fees for
> one qualified attendee to the 2008 Code4lib conference (February
> 25-28 in Portland, OR).  To qualify for this scholarship, an
> applicant must be a member of a principal minority group (American
> Indian or Alaskan native, Asian or Pacific Islander,
> African-American, or Hispanic / Latino).

... and ...

Jeremy Frumkin writes:
> The Oregon State University / Code4lib Gender Diversity Scholarship
> will provide up to $1000 to cover travel costs and conference fees
> for one qualified attendee to the 2008 Code4lib conference
> (February 25-28 in Portland, OR). This scholarship is eligible to
> any woman interested in actively contributing to the mission and
> goals of the Code4lib Conference.

You know, I just don't get this.  How can anyone think that these
kinds of awards can do anything to counter racism or sexism?  What
would we think of an award for which only white people were available,
or only men?  Why would reverse discrimination be any better?  It's
patronising at best and actively divisive at worst.

(Though I'm sure it's done from the best of motives.)

_/|_    ___________________________________________________________________
/o ) \/  Mike Taylor    <mike at indexdata.com>    http://www.miketaylor.org.uk
)_v__/\  "If a player is not interfering with play or seeking to gain an
    advantage, then he should be" -- Bill Shankly.

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