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In computer science, access to computers and being able to freely use, modify and program them is critical. Many Black adults had no or limited computer access

In computer science, access to computers and being able to freely use, modify and program them is critical. Many Black adults had no or limited computer access as children. Even kids that did need to know that's it's possible to create software , which might require an adult that knows it also, and importantly be allowed to actually do so. Computers are expensive enough that many Black families would keep kids from using them for fear of breaking them. People do overcome this and go onto become software engineers or take other jobs in tech, but common stories of Black people in tech include early computer access, many had parents that are software engineers even. I fear that the popularity of mobile means many more kids have a computing device, but it's not readily available for programming. This is probably offset by a bigger educational emphasis on learning how to code.

jazzyk 6y ago
I disagree - many inner-city youths are into super-expensive sneakers ($300 and up), golden chains and other status symbols dictated by the social environment they grow up in. Computers are just not cool enough. Yes, there are exceptions, but the stereotype - unfortunately - mostly holds.. More money helps to a point, but what these young people need more than anything is appropriate role models (engineers, scientists, etc). Yes, I know, easier said than done...
- Impossible 6y ago
  How many "inner-city youths" do you actually know? Or are you playing into a convenient stereotype? I grew up with "inner-city youths" that loved computers, and kids now have significantly more access. You're just wrong here. Also I knew many well off urban and suburban white and Asian kids that did not think computers were cool, so your stereotypes are unfounded
- CyberDildonics 6y ago
  This seems like a stereotype from movies and TV rather than a generalization of real systemic information. Do you have numbers to back this up?
- selimthegrim 6y ago
  Michael Harriot from the Root has an answer for you (and Pete Buttigieg) - https://www.theroot.com/pete-buttigieg-called-me-heres-what-happened-1840055464 https://www.theroot.com/pete-buttigieg-called-me-heres-what-... in response to https://www.theroot.com/pete-buttigieg-is-a-lying-mf-1840038708 https://www.theroot.com/pete-buttigieg-is-a-lying-mf-1840038...
- tikititaki 6y ago
  Obviously, kids are all going to want to emulate their role models. Whether the role models are Lance Armstrong or Lebron James, they will be influenced in one direction or another because of that. But there is a very real fact that certain peoples don't have access to computers. My wife grew up in a poor area, and they did not have a computer in their home until she was 16 when got a laptop as a gift. I grew up poor, but as a foreigner with no real contact with others so I stayed mostly at home. My father used to love buying old cheap computers at garage sales, so I would mix and match hardware from the old computers and I managed to learn a lot. Both of us grew up poor, but I grew up to be a programmer because I had plenty of access to computers while growing up. It was always natural to me, and it was hard for her. Neither of us idolized gold chains or expensive shoes. I think what you're saying is a harmful and frankly, racist stereotype. Just because a family buys a $200 pair of shoes for their child on Christmas, doesn't mean that means the child shouldn't have access to computers. Rich families will give their kids expensive things as well as give access to computers.
whb07 6y ago
This is the largest crock of BS one could plausibly spin up to calm their minds from exploring the harsh reality. I worked for a bit with a Cuban immigrant who studied CS to a high level (post bachelors) without a computer. As in the university and the whole of society didn't have access to computers because you know....communism. He correctly retorted at my shock of "how can you do CS without a computer" question to say the least.
- frizzo____ 6y ago
  He did not have access to a computer in Cuba because of the embargo, not communism.
  - whb07 6y ago
    lol there is a trade embargo between the U.S and Cuba, there isn't a naval enforced embargo from all nations to Cuba. Please check your facts. Cuban citizens trade with other nations in the surrounding areas openly. source: Cuban family and emigres. Please don't talk to me about communism without reliable data.

jazzyk 6y ago

I disagree - many inner-city youths are into super-expensive sneakers ($300 and up), golden chains and other status symbols dictated by the social environment they grow up in. Computers are just not cool enough. Yes, there are exceptions, but the stereotype - unfortunately - mostly holds.. More money helps to a point, but what these young people need more than anything is appropriate role models (engineers, scientists, etc). Yes, I know, easier said than done...

Impossible 6y ago
How many "inner-city youths" do you actually know? Or are you playing into a convenient stereotype? I grew up with "inner-city youths" that loved computers, and kids now have significantly more access. You're just wrong here. Also I knew many well off urban and suburban white and Asian kids that did not think computers were cool, so your stereotypes are unfounded
CyberDildonics 6y ago
This seems like a stereotype from movies and TV rather than a generalization of real systemic information. Do you have numbers to back this up?
selimthegrim 6y ago
Michael Harriot from the Root has an answer for you (and Pete Buttigieg) - https://www.theroot.com/pete-buttigieg-called-me-heres-what-happened-1840055464 https://www.theroot.com/pete-buttigieg-called-me-heres-what-... in response to https://www.theroot.com/pete-buttigieg-is-a-lying-mf-1840038708 https://www.theroot.com/pete-buttigieg-is-a-lying-mf-1840038...
tikititaki 6y ago
Obviously, kids are all going to want to emulate their role models. Whether the role models are Lance Armstrong or Lebron James, they will be influenced in one direction or another because of that. But there is a very real fact that certain peoples don't have access to computers. My wife grew up in a poor area, and they did not have a computer in their home until she was 16 when got a laptop as a gift. I grew up poor, but as a foreigner with no real contact with others so I stayed mostly at home. My father used to love buying old cheap computers at garage sales, so I would mix and match hardware from the old computers and I managed to learn a lot. Both of us grew up poor, but I grew up to be a programmer because I had plenty of access to computers while growing up. It was always natural to me, and it was hard for her. Neither of us idolized gold chains or expensive shoes. I think what you're saying is a harmful and frankly, racist stereotype. Just because a family buys a $200 pair of shoes for their child on Christmas, doesn't mean that means the child shouldn't have access to computers. Rich families will give their kids expensive things as well as give access to computers.

whb07 6y ago

This is the largest crock of BS one could plausibly spin up to calm their minds from exploring the harsh reality. I worked for a bit with a Cuban immigrant who studied CS to a high level (post bachelors) without a computer. As in the university and the whole of society didn't have access to computers because you know....communism. He correctly retorted at my shock of "how can you do CS without a computer" question to say the least.

frizzo____ 6y ago
He did not have access to a computer in Cuba because of the embargo, not communism.
- whb07 6y ago
  lol there is a trade embargo between the U.S and Cuba, there isn't a naval enforced embargo from all nations to Cuba. Please check your facts. Cuban citizens trade with other nations in the surrounding areas openly. source: Cuban family and emigres. Please don't talk to me about communism without reliable data.