Noam Cohen, New York Times; Define Gender Gap? Look Up Wikipedia’s Contributor List:
"About a year ago, the Wikimedia Foundation, the organization that runs Wikipedia, collaborated on a study of Wikipedia’s contributor base and discovered that it was barely 13 percent women; the average age of a contributor was in the mid-20s, according to the study by a joint center of the United Nations University and Maastricht University.
Sue Gardner, the executive director of the foundation, has set a goal to raise the share of female contributors to 25 percent by 2015, but she is running up against the traditions of the computer world and an obsessive fact-loving realm that is dominated by men and, some say, uncomfortable for women.
Her effort is not diversity for diversity’s sake, she says. “This is about wanting to ensure that the encyclopedia is as good as it could be,” Ms. Gardner said in an interview on Thursday."
Monday, January 31, 2011
A Chicken Chain’s Corporate Ethos Is Questioned by Gay Rights Advocates; New York Times, 1/30/11
Kim Severson, New York Times; A Chicken Chain’s Corporate Ethos Is Questioned by Gay Rights Advocates:
"Nicknamed “Jesus chicken” by jaded secular fans and embraced by Evangelical Christians, Chick-fil-A is among only a handful of large American companies with conservative religion built into its corporate ethos. But recently its ethos has run smack into the gay rights movement. A Pennsylvania outlet’s sponsorship of a February marriage seminar by one of that state’s most outspoken groups against homosexuality lit up gay blogs around the country. Students at some universities have also begun trying to get the chain removed from campuses.
“If you’re eating Chick-fil-A, you’re eating anti-gay,” one headline read. The issue spread into Christian media circles, too.
The outcry moved the company’s president, Dan T. Cathy, to post a video on the company’s Facebook fan page to “communicate from the heart that we serve and value all people and treat everyone with honor, dignity and respect,” said a company spokesman, Don Perry."
"Nicknamed “Jesus chicken” by jaded secular fans and embraced by Evangelical Christians, Chick-fil-A is among only a handful of large American companies with conservative religion built into its corporate ethos. But recently its ethos has run smack into the gay rights movement. A Pennsylvania outlet’s sponsorship of a February marriage seminar by one of that state’s most outspoken groups against homosexuality lit up gay blogs around the country. Students at some universities have also begun trying to get the chain removed from campuses.
“If you’re eating Chick-fil-A, you’re eating anti-gay,” one headline read. The issue spread into Christian media circles, too.
The outcry moved the company’s president, Dan T. Cathy, to post a video on the company’s Facebook fan page to “communicate from the heart that we serve and value all people and treat everyone with honor, dignity and respect,” said a company spokesman, Don Perry."
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Black? White? Asian? More Young Americans Choose All of the Above; New York Times, 1/30/11
Susan Saulny, New York Times; Black? White? Asian? More Young Americans Choose All of the Above:
"The crop of students moving through college right now includes the largest group of mixed-race people ever to come of age in the United States, and they are only the vanguard: the country is in the midst of a demographic shift driven by immigration and intermarriage.
One in seven new marriages is between spouses of different races or ethnicities, according to data from 2008 and 2009 that was analyzed by the Pew Research Center. Multiracial and multiethnic Americans (usually grouped together as “mixed race”) are one of the country’s fastest-growing demographic groups. And experts expect the racial results of the 2010 census, which will start to be released next month, to show the trend continuing or accelerating.
Many young adults of mixed backgrounds are rejecting the color lines that have defined Americans for generations in favor of a much more fluid sense of identity."
"The crop of students moving through college right now includes the largest group of mixed-race people ever to come of age in the United States, and they are only the vanguard: the country is in the midst of a demographic shift driven by immigration and intermarriage.
One in seven new marriages is between spouses of different races or ethnicities, according to data from 2008 and 2009 that was analyzed by the Pew Research Center. Multiracial and multiethnic Americans (usually grouped together as “mixed race”) are one of the country’s fastest-growing demographic groups. And experts expect the racial results of the 2010 census, which will start to be released next month, to show the trend continuing or accelerating.
Many young adults of mixed backgrounds are rejecting the color lines that have defined Americans for generations in favor of a much more fluid sense of identity."
Ugandan Who Spoke Up for Gays Is Beaten to Death; New York Times, 1/28/11
Jeffrey Gettleman, New York Times; Ugandan Who Spoke Up for Gays Is Beaten to Death:
"David Kato knew he was a marked man.
As the most outspoken gay rights advocate in Uganda, a country where homophobia is so severe that Parliament is considering a bill to execute gay people, Mr. Kato had received a stream of death threats, his friends said. A few months ago, a Ugandan newspaper ran an antigay diatribe with Mr. Kato’s picture on the front page under a banner urging, “Hang Them.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Kato was beaten to death with a hammer in his rough-and-tumble neighborhood."
"David Kato knew he was a marked man.
As the most outspoken gay rights advocate in Uganda, a country where homophobia is so severe that Parliament is considering a bill to execute gay people, Mr. Kato had received a stream of death threats, his friends said. A few months ago, a Ugandan newspaper ran an antigay diatribe with Mr. Kato’s picture on the front page under a banner urging, “Hang Them.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Kato was beaten to death with a hammer in his rough-and-tumble neighborhood."
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Gates Says New Military Policy on Gays Can Start Soon; New York Times, 1/28/11
Thom Shanker and Elisabeth Bumiller, New York Times; Gates Says New Military Policy on Gays Can Start Soon:
"Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said that the military could be ready this year to carry out the repeal of a ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the armed forces, and that he has accelerated efforts to revise training and regulations...
“Our troops come from every corner of this country — they are black, white, Latino, Asian and Native American. They are Christian and Hindu, Jewish and Muslim,” Mr. Obama said. “And, yes, we know that some of them are gay. Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love.”"
"Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said that the military could be ready this year to carry out the repeal of a ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the armed forces, and that he has accelerated efforts to revise training and regulations...
“Our troops come from every corner of this country — they are black, white, Latino, Asian and Native American. They are Christian and Hindu, Jewish and Muslim,” Mr. Obama said. “And, yes, we know that some of them are gay. Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love.”"
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Thorny Path to a National Black Museum; New York Times, 1/23/11
Kate Taylor, New York Times; The Thorny Path to a National Black Museum:
"What story will it tell? As part of the Smithsonian, the museum bears the burden of being the “official” — that is, the government’s — version of black history, but it will also carry the hopes and aspirations of African-Americans. Will its tale be primarily one of pain, focused on America’s history of slavery and racial oppression, and memorializing black suffering? Or will it emphasize the uplifting part of the story, highlighting the richness of African-American culture, celebrating the bravery of civil rights heroes and documenting black “firsts” in fields like music, art, science and sports? Will the story end with the country’s having overcome its shameful history and approaching a state of racial harmony and equality? Or will the museum argue that the legacy of racism is still dominant — and, if so, how will it make that case?
Addressing a topic as fraught as race would be challenging anywhere, but it is particularly tricky within the Smithsonian, a complex of 19 museums that last year got $761 million from Congress. Efforts to tackle difficult topics often become politicized, torn between historians’ desire to treat issues with scholarly detachment and an expectation that the Smithsonian’s role is to honor the nation’s past."
"What story will it tell? As part of the Smithsonian, the museum bears the burden of being the “official” — that is, the government’s — version of black history, but it will also carry the hopes and aspirations of African-Americans. Will its tale be primarily one of pain, focused on America’s history of slavery and racial oppression, and memorializing black suffering? Or will it emphasize the uplifting part of the story, highlighting the richness of African-American culture, celebrating the bravery of civil rights heroes and documenting black “firsts” in fields like music, art, science and sports? Will the story end with the country’s having overcome its shameful history and approaching a state of racial harmony and equality? Or will the museum argue that the legacy of racism is still dominant — and, if so, how will it make that case?
Addressing a topic as fraught as race would be challenging anywhere, but it is particularly tricky within the Smithsonian, a complex of 19 museums that last year got $761 million from Congress. Efforts to tackle difficult topics often become politicized, torn between historians’ desire to treat issues with scholarly detachment and an expectation that the Smithsonian’s role is to honor the nation’s past."
Monday, January 17, 2011
[Podcast] Martin Luther King's Message Inspires A New Generation; NPR's Morning Edition, 1/17/11
[Podcast] Allison Keyes, NPR's Morning Edition; Martin Luther King's Message Inspires A New Generation:
"As the nation celebrates the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a group of high school students in the nation's capital is following in his footsteps. Operation Understanding DC brings together African American and Jewish teens for a year-long leadership development program in which the two groups learn about each other's history and culture."
"As the nation celebrates the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a group of high school students in the nation's capital is following in his footsteps. Operation Understanding DC brings together African American and Jewish teens for a year-long leadership development program in which the two groups learn about each other's history and culture."
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Teaching Understanding in a Time of Intolerance; Chronicle of Higher Education, 1/11/11
Marybeth Gasman, Chronicle of Higher Education; Teaching Understanding in a Time of Intolerance:
"Despite occasional pushback for teaching in an inclusive way (some students are not used to reading about anything but White America), I am glad that I teach the way I do. I try to make sure that students leave my classes with a deeper understanding of how we are all interconnected regardless of the issues that make us different. I want them to learn to argue without insults and threats. If students don’t learn these skills early on, they do not know how to function in reasonable ways in society.
I fear that the political discourse as of late is a result of adults not learning to argue in reasonable ways and disagree respectfully with each other. These are skills that we need to instill in young people beginning in elementary school through their college experience."
"Despite occasional pushback for teaching in an inclusive way (some students are not used to reading about anything but White America), I am glad that I teach the way I do. I try to make sure that students leave my classes with a deeper understanding of how we are all interconnected regardless of the issues that make us different. I want them to learn to argue without insults and threats. If students don’t learn these skills early on, they do not know how to function in reasonable ways in society.
I fear that the political discourse as of late is a result of adults not learning to argue in reasonable ways and disagree respectfully with each other. These are skills that we need to instill in young people beginning in elementary school through their college experience."
Cherokee for Beginners: the Long Road Back, Starting on Campus; Chronicle of Higher Education, 1/9/11
Lawrence Biemiller, Chronicle of Higher Education; Cherokee for Beginners: the Long Road Back, Starting on Campus
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
For Minorities, A New ‘Digital Divide’; Diverse Issues in Higher Education/AP, 1/10/11
Jesse Washington, Diverse Issues in Higher Education/AP; For Minorities, A New ‘Digital Divide’ :
"Today, as mobile technology puts computers in our pockets, Latinos and Blacks are more likely than the general population to access the Web by cellular phones, and they use their phones more often to do more things.
But now some see a new “digital divide” emerging with Latinos and Blacks being challenged by more, not less, access to technology. It's tough to fill out a job application on a cell phone, for example. Researchers have noticed signs of segregation online that perpetuate divisions in the physical world. And Blacks and Latinos may be using their increased Web access more for entertainment than empowerment."
"Today, as mobile technology puts computers in our pockets, Latinos and Blacks are more likely than the general population to access the Web by cellular phones, and they use their phones more often to do more things.
But now some see a new “digital divide” emerging with Latinos and Blacks being challenged by more, not less, access to technology. It's tough to fill out a job application on a cell phone, for example. Researchers have noticed signs of segregation online that perpetuate divisions in the physical world. And Blacks and Latinos may be using their increased Web access more for entertainment than empowerment."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sheriff Clarence Dupnik: Arizona 'Mecca For Prejudice & Bigotry'; HuffingtonPost.com, 1/8/11
HuffingtonPost.com; Sheriff Clarence Dupnik: Arizona 'Mecca For Prejudice & Bigotry':
""When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," said the sheriff. "And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."...
"Pretty soon, we're not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office.""
""When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," said the sheriff. "And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."...
"Pretty soon, we're not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office.""
[Podcast] Looking Back At The 'Tremendous Hate' Of Bullies; NPR's StoryCorps, 1/7/11
[Podcast] NPR's StoryCorps; Looking Back At The 'Tremendous Hate' Of Bullies:
"Recent stories about bullying — and the people who have spoken out publicly against it — inspired Rob Littlefield to tell his own story of abuse, and how it affected his family."
"Recent stories about bullying — and the people who have spoken out publicly against it — inspired Rob Littlefield to tell his own story of abuse, and how it affected his family."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
UPMC executive develops program focusing on dignity and respect; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 10/17/10
Pohla Smith, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette; UPMC executive develops program focusing on dignity and respect:
""Traditionally, diversity means how many people you can count that are different ... but having diversity doesn't mean they're included," she said.
"Inclusion is the surest path to diversity."
And the surest path to inclusion, she said, is treating others with dignity and respect.
With that in mind, Ms. Castleberry-Singleton launched a Dignity and Respect campaign at UPMC in 2008."
""Traditionally, diversity means how many people you can count that are different ... but having diversity doesn't mean they're included," she said.
"Inclusion is the surest path to diversity."
And the surest path to inclusion, she said, is treating others with dignity and respect.
With that in mind, Ms. Castleberry-Singleton launched a Dignity and Respect campaign at UPMC in 2008."
Monday, January 3, 2011
Gay and Lesbian College Presidents Go Public With Web Video; Chronicle of Higher Education, 12/17/10
Paul Fain, Chronicle of Higher Education; Gay and Lesbian College Presidents Go Public With Web Video:
"A small but growing group of openly gay and lesbian college presidents will make its official debut at a March meeting of the American Council on Education. But the group publicly introduced itself on Friday with a Web video, which features several of its members and their partners."
"A small but growing group of openly gay and lesbian college presidents will make its official debut at a March meeting of the American Council on Education. But the group publicly introduced itself on Friday with a Web video, which features several of its members and their partners."
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Obama Signs Away ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; New York Times, 12/23/10
Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times; Obama Signs Away ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell:
"The military’s longstanding ban on service by gays and lesbians came to a historic and symbolic end on Wednesday, as President Obama signed legislation repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the contentious 17-year old Clinton-era law that sought to allow gays to serve under the terms of an uneasy compromise that required them to keep their sexuality a secret.
“No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie or look over their shoulder,” Mr. Obama said during a signing ceremony in a packed auditorium at the Interior Department here. Quoting the chairman of his joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, Mr. Obama went on, “Our people sacrifice a lot for their country, including their lives. None of them should have to sacrifice their integrity as well.”
"The military’s longstanding ban on service by gays and lesbians came to a historic and symbolic end on Wednesday, as President Obama signed legislation repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the contentious 17-year old Clinton-era law that sought to allow gays to serve under the terms of an uneasy compromise that required them to keep their sexuality a secret.
“No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform be asked to live a lie or look over their shoulder,” Mr. Obama said during a signing ceremony in a packed auditorium at the Interior Department here. Quoting the chairman of his joint chiefs of staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, Mr. Obama went on, “Our people sacrifice a lot for their country, including their lives. None of them should have to sacrifice their integrity as well.”
Kaplan Higher Education Sued Over Alleged Job Discrimination; Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 12/22/10
Diverse Staff and the Associated Press, Diverse Issues in Higher Education; Kaplan Higher Education Sued Over Alleged Job Discrimination:
"Federal officials on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Kaplan Higher Education Corp., a nationwide provider of postsecondary education, for allegedly discriminating against Black job applicants by screening the credit history of potential employees."
"Federal officials on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Kaplan Higher Education Corp., a nationwide provider of postsecondary education, for allegedly discriminating against Black job applicants by screening the credit history of potential employees."
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