BREAKING THE GLASS; Science, December 5, 2024

 SOFIA MOUTINHO , Science; BREAKING THE GLASS

In the end he got the waiver, but the experience turned him away from commercial journals published in the Global North and toward a model that has flourished in Latin America: nonprofit open-access journals. These publications, usually run by academic institutions or scientific societies, charge relatively low APCs, in what’s known as the gold model, or nothing at all, known as the diamond model. Science analyzed nearly 20,000 journals listed in a repository of open-access journals between 2019 and 2023, and found that one in four diamond model journals is published in Latin America. Most—83%—are noncommercial, based at universities.

Latin America is also a global pioneer in trying to overcome a long-standing challenge for noncommercial journals in the Global South: invisibility. Most are published in languages other than English, the lingua franca of science, and only a small fraction of them are indexed in international citation and index systems. “I know that my papers will probably not be read on the same scale as if I published in a high-impact journal,” says Oliveira, whose first published paper appeared in Nature. That lack of visibility adds to the inequities facing scientists in the Global South who seek alternatives to commercial publishers, with their high fees or subscription paywalls.

So Latin American academics have developed platforms that gather in one place papers that would otherwise be scattered across individual journal websites and university libraries, boosting their visibility. The upstart platforms are a model for the rest of the world, says Johan Rooryck, executive director of Coalition S. The United Nations, for instance, highlighted the Latin American model during a summit last year aimed at expanding the diamond model of publishing. By continually promoting affordable open access, Latin American platforms “show us the way on how to achieve an equitable publishing model at a larger scale than just a local scale,” Rooryck says."

In Newly Found Audio, A Forgotten Civil Rights Leader Says Coming Out 'Was An Absolute Necessity'; NPR, January 6, 2019

Michel Martin and Emma Bowman, NPR; In Newly Found Audio, A Forgotten Civil Rights Leader Says Coming Out 'Was An Absolute Necessity'

"He was an adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. and the organizer behind the 1963 March on Washington.

Still, Bayard Rustin's legacy as a leading figure in the civil rights movement is little known today, even among many history buffs and within the LGBTQ community. His homosexuality cost him that visibility and was considered by some as a hindrance to the movement's success. 

Rustin died in 1987, but his silenced voice was recently resurrected in previously unaired audio from an interview with the Washington Blade in the mid-1980s. The audio will air this week in an episode of the podcast Making Gay History. It was discovered by Sara Burningham, the podcast's executive producer...

To Rustin, asserting his identity as an African-American went hand-in-hand with identifying as a gay man. "It occurred to me shortly after that that it was an absolute necessity for me to declare homosexuality, because if I didn't I was a part of the prejudice," he said. "I was aiding and abetting the prejudice that was a part of the effort to destroy me.""

Artist Tom Beland’s Heartfelt BLACK PANTHER piece becomes a variant cover; The Beat: The News Blog of Comics Culture, March 15, 2018

Taimur Dar, The Beat: The News Blog of Comics Culture; Artist Tom Beland’s Heartfelt BLACK PANTHER piece becomes a variant cover

[Kip Currier: I just chanced upon and got a copy of this moving Black Panther variant comic book cover by cartoonist Tom Beland, which Marvel Comics commissioned, following his original cartoon that went viral.
It's inspiring to see the diverse leadership roles that people can take to communicate messages and ideas that move individuals and societies forward in affirming ways.]

Black Panther variant comic book cover by cartoonist Tom Beland.
James "Kip" Currier (c) 2018

"As gratifying as it is to see Black Panther obliterating the myth that films with a predominately black cast can’t find mainstream success, perhaps its greatest achievement is the strong reaction among black girls and boys. If this 7-year old kid taking up the M’Baku challenge doesn’t melt your heart, then it’s probably made out of vibranium!

To say that Black Panther is a watershed moment for superhero films and representation is an understatement. Less than a week after Black Panther smashed box office records on opening weekend in February, cartoonist Tom Beland (True Story, Swear to God) drew this poignant piece. Despite taking Beland less than 15 minutes to draw, to his amazement it was shared over 10K times on social media!"

Deadpool 2’s Dennison on Bringing Diverse Body Types to Superhero Genre; Comic Book Resources, May 25, 2018

Taylor Williams, Comic Book Resources; Deadpool 2’s Dennison on Bringing Diverse Body Types to Superhero Genre

"Following his breakout role in Taika Waititi’s 2016 comedy adventure Hunt for the Wilderpeople, New Zealand-born actor Julian Dennison has leaped to international stardom as Russell, aka Firefist, in Deadpool 2. The foul-mouthed, flame-throwing mutant is unlike any superhero movie audiences have seen before, both in temperament and physique. The latter is what excited the 15-year-old for the part, as other chubby kids can now see a hero who looks like them.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Dennison noted how special it was for him to be able to portray the character. “There isn’t just one kind of person that can play a superhero,” he said. “For me, playing a chubby or fat superhero was so special because I would go and watch these movies with my friends and would never see anyone like me. I am excited to be that for other kids who look like me.”"

Marvel’s Champions to Introduce Teenage Inuk Superhero, Snowguard; Comic Book Resources, April 26, 2018

Justin Carter, Comic Book Resources; Marvel’s Champions to Introduce Teenage Inuk Superhero, Snowguard

"For help with Amka’s development, Zub went to Nyla Innuksuk, founder of the VR production company Mixtape, who’s Inuit and grew up in Igloolik and Iqaluit. Innuksuk was initially hesitant upon learning about Zub’s plans to add an Inuit character, but said she appreciated that he came to her early in Snowguard’s development. She was also drawn to the character because she’s not another Indigenous woman portrayed as a victim. “To see a powerful young person who is fighting back against what she sees as wrong has the potential to make a real difference,” Innuksuk said."

Watch This Jamaican Bobsledder’s Tearful Plea For Diversity At Winter Olympics; HuffPost, February 10, 2018

Ron Dicker, HuffPost; Watch This Jamaican Bobsledder’s Tearful Plea For Diversity At Winter Olympics

"Diversity is as good as gold, according to a member of the Jamaican Bobsled Team.

Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian told a Winter Olympics press conference in Pyeonchang, South Korea, on Saturday how important it was for children to see reflections of themselves in sport. 

It’s critical that “little girls and little boys see someone that looks like them, talks like them, has the same culture as them, has crazy, curly hair and wears a natural, has brown skin, included in different things in this world,” Fenlator-Victorian said, fighting tears. “When you grow up and you don’t see that, you feel that you can’t do it. And that is not right.”"

In 'Black Panther,' a superhero who finally looks like me; Washington Post, February 9, 2018

David Betancourt, Washington Post; In 'Black Panther,' a superhero who finally looks like me

""Black Panther" brings to life Marvel's greatest black superhero. For The Post's David Betancourt, this has been a long time coming."

Guess Who’s Coming to ‘Peanuts’; New York Times, January 13, 2018

David Kamp, New York Times; Guess Who’s Coming to ‘Peanuts’

"For Barbara Brandon-Croft, who in 1991 became the first African-American woman to have a nationally syndicated comic strip in the mainstream press, “Where I’m Coming From,” the simple fact of Franklin’s addition to the mix was downright exhilarating. Ms. Brandon-Croft was 10 years old in 1968, and she told me: “I remember feeling affirmed by seeing Franklin in ‘Peanuts.’ ‘There’s a little black kid! Thank goodness! We do matter.’”"

How a man’s first-ever tweet, about Obama’s respect, proved more popular than Trump’s bluster; Washington Post, January 14, 2018

Avi Selk, Washington Post; How a man’s first-ever tweet, about Obama’s respect, proved more popular than Trump’s bluster

"“My Korean-born-and-raised parents both came to America as young adults, knowing a bare minimum of English, having a handful of family to rely on, and coping with a true culture shock,” Lee once wrote. One generation later, their son had a bachelor's degree in political science and was working for the president.

And even if not many outside the White House knew who Lee was when he left the staff in 2011, Obama did."

West Point Cadet, Simone Askew, Breaks a Racial and Gender Barrier; New York Times, August 14, 2017

Emily Cochrane, New York Times; West Point Cadet, Simone Askew, Breaks a Racial and Gender Barrier

"On Monday, more than a decade after her pretend marches in the woods, Cadet Askew, now 20, led the freshmen Army cadets for 12 miles — the first African-American woman to hold the highest student position at the United States Military Academy. As the West Point corps of cadets first captain, the Northern Virginia resident will not only be at the forefront of every academy event, but she will set the class agenda and oversee the roughly 4,400 students.

“You’re selected for this role, that’s not the end of it,” said Cadet Askew, speaking Monday after she had finished overseeing the return of the freshmen cadets from their initial summer of training. “That’s just the starting line, and it’s more so, ‘Hey, what do you do with this role? What are you able to accomplish alongside your teammates?’ And I’m very, very fortunate to be around some awesome people.”

It is a significant step for West Point."

In a Heartbeat: the story behind the animated gay love short that's gone viral; Guardian, August 4, 2017

Jake Nevins, Guardian; 

In a Heartbeat: the story behind the animated gay love short that's gone viral

"As for why the internet has lifted In a Heartbeat to viral status, the two surmise it has something to do with the dearth of same-sex love stories in animated films.

“From a business standpoint, it makes sense why studios are afraid to portray LGBT characters, just because there’s still part of the population that’s not accepting,” Bravo said. “But as leaders of children’s content, it’s really important for them to represent these people because not showing LGBT characters leads to a lot of internalized confusion as kids grow up.”"

Carla Hayden: By the Book; New York Times, August 3, 2017

New York Times; Carla Hayden: By the Book

"What’s the best book you’ve ever received as a gift?

When I was 8 years old, I received the book “Miss Happiness and Miss Flower.” It came at a good time in my life. The book is about a girl who received two Japanese dolls. In the book, when she was asked by a gruff bookstore owner, Young lady, can you read? She thinks, That’s one thing I can do well. That line really resonated with me because I felt the same way...

Is there one book that made you a reader?

I often talk about my favorite book, which is “Bright April,” by Marguerite de Angeli. It was about a young African-American girl who was a Brownie with pigtails. And that was me. It was the first book I remember where I really saw myself. I think books are so important as windows to other worlds, but they can and should also be mirrors. For young readers to see themselves in something important like a book, that really makes an impression."

"Doctor Who" boss tells reporters to shut up about female lead backlash; CBS News, July 24, 2017

Andrea Park, CBS News; "Doctor Who" boss tells reporters to shut up about female lead backlash

"["Doctor Who" showrunner Steven] Moffat added that fans "are more excited by the fact that there's going to be a brilliant actress playing the part than the fact that she's a woman. It's been incredibly progressive and enlightened and that's what really happened. I wish every single journalist who is writing the alternative would shut the hell up."

There is at least one person, though, who wishes Doctor Who were still played by a man. 

Peter Davison, who played Doctor Who in the 1980s, told the Press Association, "If I feel any doubts, it's the loss of a role model for boys, who I think Doctor Who is vitally important for. So I feel a bit sad about that, but I understand the argument that you need to open it up ... As a viewer, I kind of like the idea of the Doctor as a boy but then maybe I'm an old fashioned dinosaur – who knows?"

But another Doctor Who, Colin Baker, hit back and said, "They've had 50 years of having a role model. So, sorry Peter, you're talking rubbish there – absolute rubbish. You don't have to be of a gender of someone to be a role model. Can't you be a role model as people?""

'Game Of Thrones' Finds Fans Among Disability Rights Activists, Too; NPR, July 10, 2017

Neda Ulaby, NPR; 'Game Of Thrones' Finds Fans Among Disability Rights Activists, Too
""You don't want to learn to fly," [David Perry, writer and activist for disability rights] says dryly. "You want a ramp built into your castle."

Still, Perry admires how the series explores such a wide range of characters with different sorts of bodies and minds. Cokley admires that too; she's especially effusive about the books' author, George R. R. Martin.

"He obviously hangs out with a rabble-rousing group of disabled people," she says. "I know it. I sense it."

This fantasy universe is far more realistic than lots of other television shows, Cokley says, when it comes to representing people with disabilities on screen."

EXCLUSIVE: She Makes Comics Documentary Celebrates the Women of X-Men; Comic Book Resources, July 7, 2017

Albert Ching, Comic Book Resources; EXCLUSIVE: She Makes Comics Documentary Celebrates the Women of X-Men

"New documentary She Makes Comics aims to chronicle the vast contributions of women in the comic book industry, and in a CBR-exclusive clip from the film, the impact of women on the X-Men get the spotlight...

Speaking of the male-dominated climate in comics at the time, Claremont comments in the clip that Nocenti and Simonson “provided a perspective that was rarely available elsewhere.”

That perspective had a lasting effect, as not only are the X-Men known for featuring multiple female characters at a time — as opposed to one token woman on a super-team — the X-Men have also historically counted more women as fans than many other long-running superhero franchises...

Directed by Marisa Stotter and funded via Kickstarter in 2014, She Makes Comics will be available on VOD and iTunes on July 11 from XLrator Media, and also includes interviews with major comics names including Trina Robbins, Karen Berger, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Becky Cloonan and Jenette Kahn."

WATCH: Superhero movies and shows need more racial diversity; Salon, 1/16/17

Amanda Marcotte, Salon; 

WATCH: Superhero movies and shows need more racial diversity

"Sheena Howard and Naseed Gifted join Salon's Amanda Marcotte to discuss black representation in comic movies" VIDEO

This Rogue One Fan’s Story Shows Why the Film’s Multicultural Cast Is So Important; Slate, 1/4/17

Marissa Martinelli, Slate; 

This Rogue One Fan’s Story Shows Why the Film’s Multicultural Cast Is So Important:

"Hopefully, reactions like these—plus Rogue One’s incredible financial success, which now totals more than $800 million worldwide—will help inspire the creators at Lucasfilm to continue to make even more inclusive Star Wars movies, ones that prove the galaxy belongs to not just the straight, white, chosen few but to people with disabilities, gay people, women of color, and all of us."

It Gets Better: U.S. Patent and Trademark employees share their stories; U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 6/25/15

[Video] U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; It Gets Better: U.S. Patent and Trademark employees share their stories:

[Kip Currier: While prepping for a patent lecture for my Intellectual Property and "Open" Movements course next week, I serendipitously found this inspiring "It Gets Better" video from 2015, featuring USPTO Director Michelle K. Lee and openly LGBT employees in the USPTO.]

"“Do not let the bullies of the world distract you from the commitment to achieve your fullest potential,’ says USPTO Director Michelle K. Lee in this video featuring stories from our employees, “It does get better.”"

Why ‘Star Trek’ was so important to Martin Luther King Jr.; Washington Post, 9/8/16

Elahe Izadi, Washington Post; Why ‘Star Trek’ was so important to Martin Luther King Jr. :

"Then, she broke the news to him that she was quitting the show. His smile faded, Nichols recalled later, as he firmly told the actress that she couldn’t leave “Star Trek.”

“He said, ‘Don’t you understand what this man [Roddenberry] has achieved? For the first time on television, we will be seen as we should be seen every day, as intelligent, quality, beautiful people who can sing and dance, yes, but who can go into space, who can be lawyers and teachers, who can be professors — who are in this day, yet you don’t see it on television until now,'” Nichols recalled in a later interview.

He went on: “Gene Roddenberry has opened a door for the world to see us. If you leave, that door can be closed. Because, you see, your role is not a black role, it’s not a female role. He can fill it with anything, including an alien.”...

Nichols stayed on the show, and said she never regretted that life-altering decision. She went on to help NASA recruit new astronaut candidates, many of whom were women and people of color."

A Hero For The Arts And Sciences: Upcoming Marvel Covers Promote STEAM Fields; NPR, 8/28/16

Jason Slotkin, NPR; A Hero For The Arts And Sciences: Upcoming Marvel Covers Promote STEAM Fields:

"Readers may notice that Marvel's tapped a diverse field of heroes for the covers — characters Riri Williams and Moongirl are African-American, and Spiderman Miles Morales is of Hispanic and African-American descent — all working in fields in which educators and officials say women and minorities are underrepresented.

"The media literally shapes what people aspire to be," said Virginia Booth Womack, president of the National Association of Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates.

Womack also oversees recruitment and retainment efforts for students from underrepresented communities at Purdue University's College of Engineering. She says part of getting students to feel like they belong involves seeing people who look like them engaged in their field, in their own communities and the wider culture."