4 ms·

Why is the race of the man relevant? Seems a bit odd to point it out in the title that he was of presumably african heritage?

• intopieces 10y ago
  If your question is honest, I'll give you an honest answer: When you're a member of a minority that is commonly portrayed in the media as being an 'other' / 'not good enough' / 'not likely to succeed', this kind of identification is heartening. It shows you that people like you can succeed, people like you have succeeded, and people like you matter. I'm going to go ahead and assume you're not a part of a group that experiences this, and that's why you're asking this question. This is me assuming the best in your comment. Be aware, though, that lots of times when this question is asked, the underlying sentiment is: "I'm tired of hearing about race," or "why can't everyone just shut up about what group they belong to." So the next time you ask that question or hear it being asked, be aware of how it's often heard. It might help you understand the potential reactions.
  • gragas 10y ago
    I find it demeaning to make it a point that someone from a certain race "actually succeeded this time!" It seems to me that in doing so, one also indirectly makes the point that most people from race X don't succeed. It's good sentiment at best and racism at worst.
    • intopieces 10y ago
      You raise a valid point. Our celebration of "Minority successes" does often border on infantilization. This is a sentiment that comes up in the disability community: "I don't exist to inspire you, I just want to live my life and be respected like anyone else." It's a fine line. As more fields (I.e, CS) have visible minority successes, this need will fade. But we are not there yet.
    • deleted 10y ago
      [deleted]
  • theoreticalCS 10y ago
    Do you say this as someone from a member of a minority? Because I am a "minority" and I certainly don't care about going out of my way to find this kind of identification.
    • intopieces 10y ago
      As with anything, there are no universals. Happy you don't need affirmation that "someone like you" can succeed, has succeeded, and matters. I don't want to use my own (potential, theoretical) "minority status" to boost my own argument. That's cheap. Sufficed to say, the demand exists as evidenced by the supply: If no one cared, there'd be no clicks, no Black History Month, and no ongoing discussion about the topic :)
      • theoreticalCS 10y ago
        I guess. I just can't imagine any so called minorities appreciating the assumption that they are so fragile and need special treatment.
        • intopieces 10y ago
          Why would a person who doesn't require validation in the first place be concerned with the assumption they are fragile and need special treatment? Seems like such a 'so-called' minority is fine either way.
  • EJTH 10y ago
    It was honest. Didn't know that it was black history month, I live in Scandinavia where we never used black people as slaves (albeit you could see them in a zoo hundreds of years ago, but that was while arabic slavers was still pillaging islands taking virgin girls as far as the Danish west coast for slavery in harems). I just don't see the point in poking a wound like that at frequent intervals...